Editor’s Note: National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Week 2022 is Sunday, January 23, through Saturday, January 29. To celebrate, the UNMC Department of Anesthesiology is featuring stories from our outstanding CRNA team.
For Jessica Buell, CRNA, medicine has always been a family affair. Inspired by her parents, Buell’s career in nursing just made sense.
"My father was always encouraging me to continue my education in healthcare. My mother introduced me to the CRNA field, as she was a nurse herself. Both were incredibly supportive and driven to help me achieve my goals," Buell said.
After graduating from UNL, Buell attended Clarkson College’s accelerated RN program, and finished her education in nurse anesthesia at Mount Marty University-Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, SD.
Buell’s first role at Nebraska Medicine began in 2005, where she worked as an RN. Later, she worked in the cardiac ICU at Lincoln’s Bryan Hospital. Throughout her training, Buell enjoyed the people, organization, autonomy, and teamwork she experienced. These factors combined ultimately influenced her decision to apply for a position as a CRNA at Nebraska Medicine, a position she started in 2011. Today, her work continues to be as dynamic as it is rewarding.
"I take care of children, obstetrics, orthopedics, traumas, transplants, and many more types of cases," Buell said. "I’m challenged daily and find fulfillment in my job with Nebraska Medicine. I look forward to working with my colleagues every day. It truly makes me smile to work with such an excellent group of people."
"Jessica brings a positive attitude to work every single day," said Tim Glidden, director of nurse anesthesia. "When there’s a challenge, Jessica brings solutions to the table."
"Jessica has been with our department for nearly 11 years and trained as an SRNA with us prior to joining our department as a CRNA," said Tiffany Olson, associate director of nurse anesthesia. "Jessica serves as a valuable resource for all of her colleagues. Her experience clinically is valued, and her personality invites colleagues to ask clinical questions without hesitation."
Of the many cases Buell has worked on, however, obstetrics remains close to her heart. "My mom loves obstetrics, and she’s passed that down to me. My first medical experience was shadowing my mom as she helped deliver a baby when I was in high school. That foreshadowed my life in medicine," Buell said. "One of my favorite moments as a CRNA is placing an epidural for mothers in labor. It’s satisfying seeing a laboring mother’s pain relieved when she gets the epidural," Buell said. "It makes me feel like a hero."
In addition to her duties as a CRNA, Buell currently serves on the SRNA education committee. Buell and the committee keep track of schedules and locations that would provide the best learning opportunities for SRNAs. As the committee’s preceptor, Buell finds cases that help SRNAs reach their requirements for graduation and provide them with a well-rounded training experience. But Buell is more than a facilitator of SRNA education; she is both a mentor and an advocate.
"Jessica has served many years on the SRNA committee and is extremely devoted to her involvement," Glidden said. "Her compassion through patient care and excellence in teaching exemplify our iTEACH values." Nebraska Medicine’s iTEACH core values include innovation, teamwork, excellence, accountability, courage, and healing.
"Jessica’s work on the SRNA committee has been integral in advancing educational experiences for SRNAs for many years, and these same attributes are valued by all of our learners," Olson said.
Buell and husband Dave have been married for 10 years and have four girls: Maci, 8, Britney, 6, Emery, 3, and stepdaughter Alison, 17. Prior to the pandemic, the family enjoyed visiting relatives, Disney World, and the beach. With her kids, Buell likes to visit the zoo and relax poolside. She tries to squeeze in exercise sessions with her Peloton and nightly Netflix shows with her husband.