From Bedside to Boardroom

In honor of Nurses Week, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and the College of Nursing (CON) welcomed nurses, students and staff to a special edition of Nursing Grand Rounds: From Bedside to Boardroom - Leadership Journeys in Nursing. The event featured a candid, wide-ranging conversation between two of MUSC's top nursing leaders: Dr. Catherine Durham, DNP, APRN, FNP, FAAN, Dean of the CON, and Dr. Brenda Kendall-Bailey, DNP, Chief Nursing Officer at MUSC Health. Moderated by Teresa Kelechi, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Associate Dean for Research and Ph.D. Studies, and Cheryl Jones, RN, MUSC Health Charleston Magnet Program Director, the conversation served as both a celebration of nursing and a masterclass in leadership.

Drs. Durham and Kendall-Bailey traced their professional paths from clinical care to executive leadership. Neither leader originally planned to become a nurse, but both were drawn to the field by the examples set within their families. Dr. Durham, the first woman in her family to attend college, said nursing was one of only two career paths discussed in her household: nursing or teaching. She ended up doing both. Dr. Bailey was raised by a single mother who worked three jobs. She originally planned to study law but pivoted after her mother's encouragement to build a life of independence. "She told me, don't ever depend on anybody. You need to be able to support yourself," she said.

That early exposure to perseverance and care became a common thread in both of their stories and continues to shape their leadership.

Drs. Durham and Kendall-Bailey spoke movingly about formative moments in their clinical practice that still guide them today. For Dr. Kendall-Bailey, it was the heartbreak of working in oncology and the emotional toll of caring for patients with terminal illnesses. She later transitioned to the operating room to find balance. "It's okay to say, This isn't for me," she said. "That's the beauty of nursing, there are so many paths."

Dr. Durham recalled being a brand-new nurse in the Navy, forced to relocate a long-term patient to accommodate a higher-ranking officer. "It felt deeply wrong," she said. "That experience cemented my commitment to advocate for the underdog. Everyone deserves the same care, no matter their rank or status."

Leadership is a Mindset

"From day one, nurses are leaders," Durham said. "Whether you're leading a team or guiding your patient's care, you're already making critical decisions."

For Dr. Kendall-Bailey, leadership is about trust and visibility. "If I expect others to stop and help a patient or family member, I have to do the same. Always be aware of the shadow you cast."

Dr. Durham agreed, emphasizing the importance of empathy in leadership. "Family is the glass ball you cannot drop," she said. "We have to create space for our teams to take care of what matters most. When we support people during the hard seasons of life, they come back stronger."

From Fear to Fuel

Both leaders were open about the impostor syndrome that can accompany career transitions, particularly in high-stakes environments. When Dr. Durham was approached about applying for the role of Dean at CON, her first instinct was doubt. "I told my mentor, I don't have a Ph.D. —Who would take me seriously?" she recalled.

But a cancer diagnosis had given her a different lens. "I'd already faced the worst day of my life," she said. "What was there to lose?"

She encouraged others to listen when someone sees leadership potential in them. "They might be seeing something in you that you can't see in yourself."

Dr. Kendall-Bailey offered similar advice: "Don't be afraid. The answer is always no if you don't ask. You'll only regret the opportunities you didn't take."

Building the Next Generation

As executive leaders, both are passionate about cultivating future nursing leaders and about removing the barriers that keep nurses from reaching their potential. At MUSC, this includes joint efforts between the CON and MUSC Health to align clinical needs with continuing education offerings, support professional development, and anticipate emerging workforce trends.

The leaders discussed the launch of innovative initiatives like the Durham Scrub Tour, which places the Dean back on hospital floors alongside students. "It's the fuel for my nursing soul," Dr. Durham said. "I get to stay grounded in the reality of practice, connect with our students, and listen to what's really going on."

The CON is also developing new educational modules, including one that uses virtual reality to train nurses on handling workplace violence. "We want to be the lab space for learning and innovation," Durham said. "And if it works here, maybe we can offer it elsewhere."

Pearls of Wisdom

The conversation closed with advice for aspiring nurse leaders, much of it rooted in values of curiosity, collaboration and courage.

"Say yes more than you say no," Dr. Durham said. You're not marrying the opportunity—just try it." Dr. Kendall-Bailey encouraged nurses to network, join professional organizations, and raise their hands for projects. "Talk to your manager. Say you're interested in leading. They will have something for you—I promise."

They also championed mentorship, executive coaching and the power of self-awareness. "Don't send the email when you're angry," Dr. Kendall-Bailey said with a smile. "And remember, it's not always about you. Most people are just doing their best."

The discussion was a powerful reminder that leadership in nursing isn't confined to the boardroom—it's cultivated at the bedside, in every courageous decision, and in every act of compassion and care.