Sara E. Banzhaf, DNP, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC

Sara E. Banzhaf, DNP, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC

Sara E. Banzhaf, DNP, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC

Assistant Professor
College of Nursing, Omaha Campus

Expertise/Specializations

  • Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Academic Appointments

Department

  • Nursing - Doctorate

Position

  • Assistant Professor

Biography


Sara E. Banzhaf DNP, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC is an Assistant Professor at Creighton University College of Nursing who currently is serving as a member of the faculty in the role of Track Leader for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Track, and works as a Psychiatric-Nurse Practitioner at Monen Health Care Clinic, a community-based clinic. Additional roles include appointment to the Executive Committee of the Behavioral Health Education Committee of Nebraska (BHECN) , and the BHECN Nursing Education sub-committee to support workforce development within the state of Nebraska, and serving on the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Education Council Steering Committee and serves as co-chair of the Education Council Graduate Branch. Previous roles include being a Faculty Advisor in the Ratio Studiorum Program, and the Track Lead for the Accelerated Nursing Program.  Education includes achievement of the Doctorate in Nursing Practice at Creighton University College of Nursing in May 2017. Prior education includes a Masters in Nursing from University of Nebraska Medical Center December 2012, and BSN from Clarkson College of Nursing in June 1984. ANCC certification as a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner May 2013. Previous work history includes roles in psychiatric mental health nursing as a staff nurse, and RN Care Manager in Home Health. Additionally has served in a variety of nursing leadership roles ranging from Clinical Supervisor, Manager, Operations Director, Quality Clinical Coordinator and Interim Vice President of Nursing Services.

Publications and Presentations

General

  • , 16, 33-39
  • , 17(1), 17-26

Articles

  • , 25 (2), 99-111

Publications

Presentations

Research and Scholarship

Research and Scholarship Interests

  • The development of a Concept Based Curriculum for Creighton University Undergraduate Students 
    Experience of Depression in Impoverished Ethnically Diverse Women and Community Based Interventions
    Integration of Spirituality and Reflective Practice into Nursing Curriculum and Faculty Practice
    Development of innovative teaching and learning strategies for Psychiatric-Mental Health curriculum and practicum experiences for undergraduate and graduate nursing students 
    The role of a PMHNP in a community based model facilitating a successful transition to employment for a high risk population
    Interprofessional Practice to support integration of psychiatric-mental health promoting quality outcomes. 
    Innovative and Quality Education for PMHNP 

Current Research Projects

  • 1.   Title of Project:  An Interprofessional Mental Health Program Model Addressing the Unique Needs of Impoverished Ethnically Diverse Women Experiencing Depression. 
    2. 
    Title of Project:  Spiritual Integration to Enhance Reflective Practice in the Creighton University Accelerated Nursing Program
    3.  
    Addressing the Opioid Use Epidemic: Strategies for Interprofessional Health Education
    4.  Interprofessional Collaboration in the Management of Older Adults Experiencing Complex Medical and Psychiatric comorbidities.

Grant Funding Received

  • “Interprofessional Practice Simulation in the Management of Older Adults Experiencing Complex Medical & Psychiatric Comorbidities,” has been awarded a 2022-2023 CFE Development Grant for the amount requested in the proposal of: $2,000. Sara E. Banzhaf DNP, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC, Principal Investigator Lindsay Iverson DNP, APRN-NP, ACNP-BC, Co-Investigator Theresa A. Jizba, DNP, AGACN-BC, Co-Investigator College of Nursing Paul L. Price PharmD, BCPP, Co-Investigator Andrea M. Thinnes OTD, OTR/L, Co-Investigator School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

Awards and Honors

  • Teaching Excellence Award for Graduate Nursing Class, Creighton University College of Nursing , 2022
  • The Daisy Faculty Award, Creighton University College of Nursing , 2017
  • Iggy Award (2), Office of Retention , 2016
  • Iggy Award (1), Office of Retention , 2016
  • Creighton University College of Nursing Teaching Excellence Award for Classroom Instruction, Graduating Class of December 2015 at Pinning Ceremony, 2015
  • Creighton University College of Nursing Teaching Excellence Award for Clinical Instruction, Graduating Accelerated Class August 2015 , 2015