Sara Elizabeth Banzhaf, DNP, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC
Associate Professor
Nursing
Dr. Sara E. Banzhaf, DNP, MSN, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC is an Associate Professor, and Track Leader for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Creighton University College of Nursing, and Lenke Family Scholar 2023-2024. She holds a DNP from Creighton University, and a MSN in Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and BSN from Clarkson College of Nursing. Current practices as a a PMHNP at an interprofessional safety net clinic. These roles offer opportunities to integrate nursing and leadership experience, emphasizing authentic connections that are inclusive and empowering. A central focus of professional practice, teaching, research and scholarship focus on strategies to increase access to quality, evidence-based psychiatric-mental health services, highlighting the value of comprehensive, interprofessional approaches. This includes mentoring, advocacy, and leading scholarship and research emphasizing quality psychiatric-mental health interventions, interprofessional assessment, innovative strategies to increase the workforce, reflective practice strategies, and interprofessional Stress First Aid Training. Serves as Co-Chair for the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Graduate Education Council, Member of the NONPF Curriculum Leadership Committee, active member of the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, and the NE Behavioral Health Education Partners.
Teaching Interests
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Research Focus
Innovative strategies promoting quality interprofessional psychiatric-mental health practice and education
Refective Practice and Spirituality
Workforce Development - Psychiatric-Mental Health
Stress First Aid Program Development Department
Nursing - Doctorate
Position
Associate Professor
General
- Clinical Simulation in Nursing
Kirkpatrick, A. , Potthoff, M., Banzhaf, S., Ball, S., Hanks, J.,Connelly, S., Hercinger, M., McCafferty, K. Intraprofessional Simulation's Impact on Advanced Practice and Baccalauretate Student Efficacy
16, p. 33-39 2018 - Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal
Davis, B, Banzhaf, S., McCafferty, K., Tucci, C, Woster, J. Integrating a Spiritual Care Model within An Accelerated Nursing Curriculum
17(1), p. 17-26 2018
Articles
- Journal of American Psychiatric Nurses Association
Banzhaf, Sara E. , Kunes-Connell, Mary A Qualitative Inquiry Addressing the Experience of Depression in Impoverished, Ethnically Diverse Women
25 (2), p. 99-111 2019
Publications
- Health, Interprofessional Practice, and Education
Dr. Cindy Hadenfeldt, Naylor, H., Jessen, J., Banzhaf, S. & Martens-Striklett, K Addressing the Opioid Use Epidemic 2020 - Journal of American Psychiatric Nurses Association
Hanson-Latcham, Susan K. , Banzhaf, S.E. Cardiovascular and Metabolic Risk Management in an Adult Population with Schizophrenia: A Quality Improvement Project 2020
Presentations
- Mental Health Strategies to Cope with Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Mental Health and Wellness Presentation to IT Department per request 2023
- Snacks and Skills with the Experts: Mental Health Strategies to Cope with Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Mental Health Wellness Healthy Bites Session on the topic of Mental Health - Follow Up Session 2022
- Choose Your Own Adventure: Integration of Systems Based Practice in PMHNP Graduate Education (Perry, C., Banzhaf, S., Messinger, C) October 2022. American Psychiatric Nurses Association 36th October 21, 2022 2022
- Interprofessional Practice Simulation Exploring Cultural Humility and Social July 2022 Determinants of Health in the Management of Older Adults Experiencing Complex Medical & Psychiatric Comorbidities. (Banzhaf, S.E., Iverson, L, Jizba, T., Price, P., Thinnes, A.) Virtual Heartland Interprofessional Education Conference (HIPE), July 21-22, 2022 Podium Presentation 2022
- A Graduate Education Faculty Toolkit: Let's Do It Pre-Conference Workshop at APNA Conference 2021
- Mental Health Wellness Healthy Bites Session on the topic of Mental Health - Rescheduled in March 2020 to 2021. Co-presenter - Creighton University 2021
- Creating a Clinical Learning Environment Supporting Interprofessional Practice Using a Synchronous On-Line Strategy. (Banzhaf, S, Price, P., Coffman, R., Iverson, L.) American Psychiatric Nurses Association 34 th Annual Conference, Virtual45 Minute Podium Presentation September 30-October 4, 2020 2020
- Use of Augmented Reality in Psychiatric Mental Health Simulation. (Williams, J., Sheridan, R., Koziol, D. McCafferty, K., Banzhaf, S., Panning, M.American Psychiatric Nurses Association 34 th Annual Conference, Virtual30 Minute Podium Presentation September 30-October 4, 2020 2020
- Addressing the Opioid Use Epidemic: Strategies for Interprofessional Health Education (Hadenfeldt, C., Naylor, H., Jessen, J., Banzhaf, S. & Martens-Striklett, K.) Nexus Summit Program, August 2020, Virtual Lighting Talk 2020
- Virtual Interprofessional Clinical Team Simulation: Managing Complex MedicalAnd Psychiatric Comorbidities (Banzhaf, S, Iverson, L, Price, P, Coffman, R.). 2020 Heartland Interprofessional Education Conference (HIPE), July 23-24.Podium Presentation 2020
- Addressing the Opioid-Use Epidemic: Strategies for Interprofessional Health July 2020Education (Naylor, H., Jessen, J., Banzhaf & Hadenfeldt, C., Martens-Striklett, K)2020 Heartland Interprofessional Education Conference (HIPE),July 23-24. Poster Presentation. Received First Place Poster Award 2020
- Inter-Professional Approaches to Addressing the Opioid Epidemic (Hadenfeldt, C., Naylor, H., Jessen, J., Banzhaf, S. & Martens-Striklett, K.) MNRS Annual Research Conference 2020, April 1-4, 2020,Schaumburg, Illinois. 2020
- Interprofessional Mental Health Program Model: Integrating a Synergy of Compassion, Ease and Hope to address the Experience of Depression in Ethnically Diverse Impoverished Women. (Banzhaf, S.E, Kunes-Connell, M.) APNA 33rd Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA Poster Presentation 2019
- St. Albert's Research Day Creighton University "An Interprofessional Mental Health Program Model: Integrating A Synergy of Compassion, Ease, and Hope ToAddress the Experience of Depression in Ethnically Diverse Impoverished Women" 2019
- Addressing Local Health Disparities by Promoting Cultural Competency - presentation at the Global Health Conference Midwest 2018
- Co-Presenter for the break out session - Establishing Educational and Work Experience at the Annual Psychiatric Nursing Summit - sponsored by the Behavioral Health Education Center of NE 2017
- Poster Presentation - 2017 University Assessment Symposium Office of Academic Excellence - Title: The Intentional Integration of Spirituality into an Accelerated nursing Program 2017
- Panel Presentation at the Through the Eye of the Needle: Commitment to Justice in Jesuit Higher Education, Seattle, WashingtonTitle: Following a Crosswalk: the Intentional Integration of Spirituality in an Accelerated Nursing Curriculum 2017
- Meeting the needs of pre-licensure nursing students The intentional integration of ATI skills modules and real-life scenarios into the clinical skills lab. 2017 National Nurse Educator Summit (Orlando, FL) 2017
- The young and the restless: Combining advanced practice and prelicensure nursing students for intraprofessional simulation National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners' (NAPNAP) 38th National Conference on Pediatric Health Care. Denver, CO. Podium Presentation 2017
- Poster Presentation accepted for the 2016 Creighton University Assessment Symposium. Title: An Interprofessional simulation's impact on Advanced Practice and Pre-Licensure nursing students' self-efficacy. 2016
- The Impact of an Interprofessional Pediatric Simulation on Advanced Practice and Pre-Licensure Nursing Students Self-Efficacy Sigma Theta Tau Iota Tau 27th Annual Research Day, Creighton University Omaha, NE Poster Presentation 2016
- Utilizing Technology and Real-time Assessments to Improve Efficacy and Competence with Technical Skills in Pre-licensure Nursing Students -Accuracy & Efficacy TLT Showcase: A Celebration of Mission, Technology, and Teaching - Poster Presentation 2016
- Utilizing Technology and Real-time Assessments to Improve Efficacy and Competence with Technical Skills in Pre-licensure Nursing Students - Confidence & Communication TLT Showcase: A Celebration of Mission, Technology, and Teaching - Poster Presentation 2016
- Poster Presentation at the 2015 Creighton University Assessment Symposium: Meeting the Needs of Pre-Licensure Nursing Students - Integrating Skills Into the Clinical Coursework 2015 Creighton Assessment Symposium - Poster Presentation 2015
Other
“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
- Teaching Excellence Award for Graduate Nursing Class
Selected by the Graduate Nursing Class of May 2022 for Teaching Excellence.
Creighton University College of Nursing - The Daisy Faculty Award
The Daisy Faculty Award - "To honor your exceptional impact on your students and your inspirational influence on their future"
Creighton University College of Nursing - Iggy Award (2)
Identified by Freshman student following first semester of college acknowledging contributions leading to their success during their first semester at Creighton University
Office of Retention - Iggy Award (1)
Identified by Freshman student following first semester of college acknowledging contributions leading to their success during their first semester at Creighton University
Office of Retention - Creighton University College of Nursing Teaching Excellence Award for Classroom Instruction
Recognition of valuable contributions to Clinical Instruction
Graduating Class of December 2015 at Pinning Ceremony - Creighton University College of Nursing Teaching Excellence Award for Clinical Instruction
Recogniation of valuable contributions to Classroom Instruction
Graduating Accelerated Class August 2015