CMC Nurse of the Year!
As part of nurses week, the Nursing Recognition Council celebrated with Nursing Superlative Awards! This year we are pleased to announce our winner of "Nurse of the Year" is Kyleigh Bradley! Kyleigh is a Clinical Professional Development Coordinator who works on 9MICU/10MICU. Congratulations Kyleigh! (Nomination below).
Kyleigh transitioned into the Clinical Professional Development Facilitator (CPDF) role in August of this past year and has brought exceptional passion, innovation, and a fresh perspective to the position. Although she is new to the role, her confidence and effectiveness make it seem as though she has been in this position for years. She has quickly become a trusted resource for her peers, actively mentoring new team members and supporting staff development. Her work consistently centers on improving bedside care, and through creative education, thoughtful orientation planning, and meaningful feedback, she positively impacts both immediate patient care and patients who will be cared for at Carilion.
Kyleigh has played a key role in driving unit change and strengthening culture within 9M ICU. She brings curiosity and courage to her work, asking important questions, raising awareness, and seeking clarity when needed. She is a strong advocate for frontline staff, ensuring that both practice and educational needs are addressed. Whether introducing a new initiative or reinforcing existing practices, Kyleigh is highly visible on the unit, rounding on devices, engaging staff, and emphasizing the “why” behind clinical decisions. Her ability to create in-the-moment learning opportunities, paired with positive reinforcement, has made a meaningful impact on staff engagement and patient care.
Over the past year, Kyleigh has developed and implemented several innovative initiatives within the 9M ICU. One standout example is “Keeping Up with Kyleigh,” a weekly educational update that highlights relevant, high-impact topics in a concise and engaging format. These quick-read resources effectively close knowledge gaps while reinforcing clinical reasoning. She has also introduced “drive-by education” using creative themes to make learning more engaging and accessible for frontline staff.
In addition to unit-wide education, Kyleigh has significantly enhanced the onboarding experience for new hires. She meets with each new nurse biweekly for individualized support and has implemented dedicated one-on-one quality training sessions. During these sessions, nurses spend focused time reviewing quality metrics, participating in rounding, and gaining a deeper understanding of how their practice directly impacts outcomes. This personalized and hands-on approach has strengthened both confidence and accountability among staff.
Kyleigh’s efforts have led to measurable improvements in quality metrics on the 9M ICU. Most notably, stroke compliance increased from 0% to nearly 90% within six months, a direct reflection of her commitment to education, consistency, and adherence to stroke guidelines. She has also led ICU liberation rounding, strategically targeting the largest gaps first and demonstrating both initiative and determination in addressing complex challenges. Just this past month, she increased compliance in every bundle element on 9M ICU!
Beyond her primary responsibilities, Kyleigh has supported a third unit with onboarding and orientation, consistently stepping in wherever needed. No request is too great, and she approaches every task with grace, confidence, and a clear sense of purpose.
Kyleigh is widely recognized by her colleagues for her collaboration, dedication, and commitment to excellence. The positive feedback she receives reflects the profound influence she has had on both staff and patient care. While she may not always provide direct bedside care, the impact she has on patient outcomes extends far beyond what any one individual could achieve alone. She is an outstanding nurse and is incredibly deserving of recognition as Nurse of the Year!
