Name: Brenda Kirkpatrick McCulloch, MSN, RN, CNS, RCIS
Current Position: Clinical Nurse Specialist
Current Affiliation(s): Sutter Medical Center-Sacramento, California
Area(s) of Specialization: Medical and Interventional Cardiology
Professional Education: MSN, University of San Francisco
Certifications: RN, CNS, RCIS
Brenda McCulloch, MSN, RN, CNS, RCIS, received the 2012 Clinical Nurse Specialist of the Year Award. This award was created by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) to nationally recognize a member for outstanding professional achievement in all aspects of clinical nurse specialist (CNS) practice. The award acknowledges a nurse who demonstrates exemplary CNS practice in practice across all domains-patients/clients, nurses, and nursing practice and healthcare delivery systems. The award was presented at the organization's annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, March 2013.
Ms McCulloch is employed as a CNS at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, California. In this role, she is responsible for the clinical and quality support for medical and interventional cardiology services. She develops departmental and hospital-wide protocols/procedures and provides expert clinical and educational support for the cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology laboratories, postinterventional telemetry units, and intensive care units. Brenda was described by her nominees as an "experienced, dedicated, and inspiring CNS, who is admired and respected by staff, physicians, administrators, and patients." Brenda has been praised for going above and beyond to improve nursing knowledge and ensure patient safety.
What first motivated you to become a CNS?
I was first introduced to the CNS role when I moved to California in 1983. I was working as a staff nurse in the coronary care unit and the cardiac catheterization laboratory where the cardiology CNS was an inspiring and accomplished role model. Because of her influence, I was motivated to continue my education and seek more challenging projects and positions. She later became my preceptor while I was in graduate school, then a valued colleague after I was offered a CNS position at that hospital.
What, if any, professional or career issues did you face early in your career as a CNS? What helped you address them?
Developing and honing the skills needed to lead teams and effect change can take time to develop. I was fortunate to work with other nursing leaders who had successfully done this and sought their wise counsel and guidance. I also took classes in leadership and project management offered by the hospital. I was able to develop some very specific areas of expertise, such as hemodynamic monitoring and intra-aortic balloon pump care and build on these successes.
What do you perceive are the key issues for CNS practice today and the future role of CNSs in healthcare reform?
The CNS role is increasingly important in our complex and ever changing healthcare system. We are taught to have a global view of systems while focusing on improving patient outcomes and processes. We are uniquely positioned to influence nursing care through our interactions with patients and staff. As CNSs, we need to continue to communicate our role and our contributions so that the value of our role is understood.
To date, what do you perceive as your greatest accomplishments as a CNS?
I feel fortunate indeed to have had the career that I've had and to say I love being a nurse. I am extremely honored to have been selected as the 2012 Clinical Nurse Specialist of the Year, especially knowing that the nurses and technologists with whom I work most closely are the ones who nominated me.
I am proud of the various programs that I have conribtuted to, particularly those that have provided a new or unique service to our patients. In my career, I've had the opportunity to establish a heart failure telemanagement program, a same-day-admit unit for cardiac catheterization/bypass surgery procedures, an open-heart surgery program, and specialty programs for transcatheter aortic valve replacement, percutaneous ventricular assist devices, and transradial catheterization. I have also enjoyed my long-term involvement as a founding instructor for Sacramento's popular Cath Lab and Beyond training program.
What do you enjoy or value most about the role of a CNS?
I value being able to impact patient care both directly and indirectly. My favorite day at work is one in which I get to interact with both patients and staff nurses at the bedside. I also particularly enjoy the collaborative work that I am able to do with my CNS colleagues. I am fortunate to work within a regional hospital system with several CNSs. We have established a local and a regional CNS Council and meet regularly to work on various projects.
What advice would you give a new CNS starting out in this role?
Reflecting on the things that I think helped me the most in my 20-year career as a CNS, I would advise the following: find a mentor who can help guide you, grow and nurture your network of nursing colleagues, and become involved in a nursing organization. Never stop reading nursing literature and think seriously about writing for publication.