Editor’s Note: National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Week is January 22-28. To celebrate, the Department of Anesthesiology is featuring various CRNAs with unique personal and professional stories.
Nurse anesthetist Tim Glidden comes from a family of health care professionals. Glidden is the youngest of seven children, all of whom practice some form of medicine as nurses, an X-ray technician, a physician and two CRNAs.
Glidden and his two brothers, who also are CRNAs, graduated the same day, took their boards the same day and have worked as colleagues together at various times in their careers. “They have both been inspirations to me and great colleagues when we have worked together,” Glidden said.
In addition to his siblings, Glidden was inspired by his mother. A registered nurse, she worked the night shift of a 30-bed hospital for more than 40 years.
During his sophomore year of nursing school, Glidden followed CRNAs for a month at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota. That is when he knew he had found his calling. He initially appreciated the autonomy of patient care and the respect CRNAs received from members of the surgical team, but it was the passion and pride he witnessed that attracted him to a career as a nurse anesthetist.
“After that month, I knew that becoming a CRNA was what I wanted to do,” Glidden said. “I saw how passionate the CRNAs I followed were about their profession, and I was encouraged by them to pursue this career.”
Glidden came to UNMC in 1996 after receiving a call from Gary Hill, MD, an anesthesiologist he had previously worked with. Dr. Hill said exceptional CRNAs were needed at UNMC.
“Dr. Hill told me about the complexity of cases I could be involved with at UNMC. For example, I had never done any type of solid organ transplants, and the acuity of care of UNMC patients intrigued me,” Glidden said. “It was an opportunity for me to learn more and become a better anesthesia provider. The transition was interesting; I found myself back in the books and asking lots of questions as if I were a student again. I have never looked back.”
After serving more than 26 years, Glidden stepped down from his role as director of nurse anesthesia in the UNMC Department of Anesthesiology in October 2022 and now is focusing on clinical practice. He said working at Nebraska Medicine and UNMC has always been fulfilling and challenging, and the phenomenal team environment and cutting-edge technology made it the best workplace he could have asked for.
“I love teaching students, but I have probably learned more from them,” Glidden said. “Having mentored so many students, watching them enter clinical training and become CRNAs has been very fulfilling.”
Glidden said it also has been rewarding to see so many CRNAs move into leadership roles at various levels, both within the organization and at the state and national institutions.
As a past president of the Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists, one of his proudest accomplishments was getting students involved in the professional aspects of the organization. This mentorship continues for UNMC’s current CRNAs, creating an entirely new generation of CRNAs passionate about their profession.
“My advice to anyone seeking to enter this profession is very simple. It is the best career choice I could have made,” Glidden said. “I have yet to meet a CRNA anywhere who would say they wish they had chosen a different career.”
In addition to being an exceptional leader, clinician and mentor, Glidden loves to travel with his wife. Both are avid hikers, enjoy visiting Colorado and aim to visit as many U.S. national parks as possible (20 to date). Other ideal destinations, he said, include anywhere there is a beach, an umbrella and a book.
“Most importantly, we have five beautiful grandchildren, and we love doing any activity that lets us be with them,” Glidden said.