Celebrating National Nurses Week: Q&A with Sheila McNally

National Nurses Week, celebrated May 6–12, honors the remarkable impact of nurses across every care setting, from hospitals and surgical suites to community clinics and beyond. At Standard Textile, we’re proud to have nurses on our team who bring real-world clinical experience and insight to everything we do. Their perspective helps ensure the products and solutions we develop truly support those on the front lines of care.

One of those nurses is Sheila McNally, Nurse Consultant for Clinical Services at Standard Textile. Sheila brings decades of experience in surgical nursing and hospital leadership. Today, she uses that expertise to support healthcare partners across the country in the transition to reusable surgical textiles, helping improve patient care while supporting sustainability efforts.

In celebration of National Nurses Week, we spoke with Sheila about her journey in nursing, how the profession has evolved, and what this week means to her.

 

Looking back over your nursing career, what moments stand out as especially meaningful—and how did those experiences influence your work today at Standard Textile?

“Right out of nursing school at Marquette University, my first job was as a surgical nurse at Rush University Medical Center. I had the incredible privilege of operating with my father, Dr. Randall McNally, a legendary and innovative reconstructive surgeon who saved the life of the young Vietnamese girl featured in the famous “napalm girl” photograph, and who also served as the cut doctor for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Like the many nurses I know, he had a simple North Star: Always put the patient first. You do that — and the rest is easy. That principle has stayed with me throughout my career.”

 

What’s something you think people often overlook or misunderstand about the work nurses do, whether it’s at the bedside, in surgery, or behind the scenes?

“The data supports it, so I’ll put it plainly—the caliber, compassion, and capabilities of nursing care are among the important variables in patient outcomes.

Nurses are at ground zero, in the OR and throughout hospital patient care. We stand in the health care field at the place where effectiveness, experience and empathy all combine.”

 

How have you seen the nursing profession evolve over the years, and what do you hope for the next generation of nurses?

“Nursing has changed a lot since I started. Technology has transformed how we work — electronic records, surgical advances, better ways to communicate and coordinate care.

Now we’re heading into a new phase with AI, which will impact and improve medical diagnoses, help us access information faster, and make certain tasks more efficient. And yes, it may even replace some lawyers, accountants, and tax preparers. But nurses in real life have stood the test of time. We’ve been here for centuries, and I think we’ll be here for many more. People don’t want to begin or end their lives relying solely on machines. They want presence and personal touch. They want to be seen, heard, and cared for—and that’s what nurses do best.”

 

During National Nurses Week, what message would you like to share with fellow nurses—whether they’re at the bedside, in leadership, or in support roles like yours?

“Whether we’re talking about the extraordinary care provided by nurses in a hospital, a clinic, or anywhere in between, life has offered us the privilege of being present and impactful at among the most meaningful, important and intimate moments of our fellow man. The birth of a child. A life-saving surgical intervention. And in the twilight of our lives, when it comes time to turn the page.

National Nurses Week is a time to pause and recognize, with deep gratitude, that our chosen profession is one of the most amazing, rewarding, fun, and satisfying vocations on planet Earth.

To every nurse out there—thank you for showing up, for making a difference, and for doing this incredible work with heart.”

 

More About Sheila
Sheila McNally, BSN, RN, WCC®, CPSN-R, CNOR(E), RNFA, has over 40 years of experience in surgical nursing, with a focus on plastic and reconstructive procedures, complex wound care, and operating room management. Her advanced credentials reflect a deep commitment to clinical excellence and specialized patient care.