Celebrating Sue Bruch: A Legacy of Excellence in Nursing and Education

Sue Bruch MSN, RN, ARNP, ACNP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN

Celebrating Sue Bruch: A Legacy of Excellence in Nursing and Education

After an illustrious career spanning over 40 plus years in nursing, Sue Bruch MSN, RN, ARNP, ACNP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN is retiring from her clinical practice. However, her journey in education continues as she will remain an online instructor, sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience with future generations of nurses.

Sue’s colleagues describe her with words like adventurous, expressive, problem solver, forward-thinking, creative, fervent, down-to-earth, practical, modest, critical thinker, fun-loving, caring, open-minded, trustworthy, and a connector. These attributes have made her an exceptional educator, coach, and mentor for countless learners.

Since joining the WEB WOC faculty in 2011, Sue has been instrumental in educating nurses who aspire to become WOC nurse specialists, all from the comfort of their own homes. Her ability to bring real-world and practical insights into her teaching has been invaluable. She has always been willing to take on new challenges, such as Self-paced courses, practicum faculty, presenting webinars and various presentations at state and national conferences.

Sue’s contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic were particularly noteworthy. When clinical practicum became impossible, she played a crucial role in WEB WOC’s Virtual Clinical Practicum (VCP), ensuring that learners could continue their education without interruption. Her accomplishments with WEB WOC include publishing a manuscript with other colleagues in the JWOCN May/June 2024 issue on the competency-based VCP and presenting practice innovation posters at the WOCNext Conferences.

Sue has also delivered several free webinars to enhance the knowledge of both nurse generalists and WOC specialists. Some of her recent webinars include “What’s the Barrier Got to Do with It?” and “Staying on Track in Fistula Management”. Additionally, she has presented at various conferences, sharing her expertise on topics such as ostomy vital connections, topical wound therapies, and wound debridement workshop.

Sue Bruch’s dedication, passion, and innovative spirit have left an indelible mark on the nursing community. As she transitions from clinical practice to focus solely on teaching, we celebrate her remarkable career and look forward to her continued contributions to nursing education.

In Sue’s own words: “Even after nearly 50 years in health care, I still feel like I am learning every day”. To learn more about Sue’s amazing nursing career, click here.

After more than 40 years of service in the healthcare field, Sue Bruch has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless patients, families and colleagues.

𝗔 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

Though Sue initially considered following in her mother’s footsteps to become a teacher or perhaps even a nun, it was as a 14-year-old volunteer candy striper at Independence Hospital that she first discovered her passion for health care. Watching the professionalism and care displayed by the nursing staff, she found herself inspired to become a nurse.

“I had many mentors throughout my career, and my first one was Delah Friedel, my head nurse,” Sue recalls. “Our team on 5-North/East was like a family. Delah worked alongside us every day, and there was no task she wouldn’t help with. I always appreciated the team approach to care, and I’ve carried it with me throughout my entire career.”

After becoming an ARNP, Sue left Allen Hospital to work in the long-term care/skilled nursing setting at Ravenwood Specialty Care where she found another “family” and daily challenges in such a different setting. Sue is thankful for her experience at Ravenwood which better prepared her for her return to Allen Hospital to join the IMPACT team.

𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

When asked about her favorite part of her career, Sue highlights two key elements: lifelong learning and the relationships she’s built over the years. She believes health care is a journey of continuous growth and education, and she has always embraced opportunities to learn more, even after nearly five decades in the field.

“Even after nearly 50 years in health care, I still feel like I am learning every day,” says Sue.

Throughout her career, Sue has also enjoyed opportunities to teach and mentor others. Her role as a faculty member in the WEBWOC program allowed her to train new nurses in the Wound, Ostomy and Continence specialty. She remains deeply grateful to JoAn Headington, who supported her education in this field in the early 1990s.

“The connections I’ve made throughout my career are close to my heart. It’s all about connection, not perfection. I’ve worked in so many different settings—hospital, hospice, nursing homes—and in each one, I’ve made lasting connections with patients, families and colleagues. It truly warms my heart when patients or families remember me years later. Our 5-North/East family still gets together now and then!”

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀

For those just beginning their healthcare journey, Sue has some essential advice:

1. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵: “Never underestimate the impact of holding a hand, sitting down, and truly listening to your patients. I learned this as a nursing student when I cared for a 14-year-old girl undergoing chemotherapy. She didn’t speak much, but after several days of sitting by her side, she told the doctor, ‘No one cares about me except her!’ She pointed to me. It was the only time she spoke, but I’ll never forget it.”
2. 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆: “Nursing is about people, not machines or numbers. It’s about connecting with your patients, their families and your colleagues. Remember to nurture those connections.”
3. 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: “Nursing is a constantly evolving field. Learn to recognize what you don’t know and always be open to learning from those around you. Your team is your greatest resource.”

𝗔 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆

One of Sue’s most cherished memories from her time at Allen Hospital is a deeply emotional one. Early in her career, she cared for a 21-year-old cancer patient with whom she formed a close bond.

“We spent a lot of time talking, and we really got to know each other,” Sue recalls. “After she went home, she sent me a thank you card, and soon after, she passed away. I was so upset, and my husband questioned my career choice because I was so emotional about her death.”

In honor of the patient, the family sent a plant to the hospital, but it struggled to thrive in the nursing unit’s low-light lounge. Delah, Sue’s head nurse, offered to let her take it home, where it flourished. Today, the plant still sits in her home, with the framed thank-you card hanging nearby.

“This plant and card serve as a beautiful reminder of why I made the right career choice,” Sue says with a smile.

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Now, as she looks ahead to retirement, Sue is excited for the next chapter of her life, which includes more time with family and friends, golfing, crafting, and participating in the Nurses Honor Guard. And speaking of chapters, she’s even considering writing a book about her half-century in health care.

“Would you read it?” she asks with a twinkle in her eye.

In honoring Sue’s remarkable career, we not only celebrate her countless contributions to health care but also the lives she has touched with her unwavering compassion and dedication. Her legacy of care and kindness will continue to inspire all who have had the privilege of crossing paths with her.

Here’s to a retirement filled with joy, laughter and cherished moments. Thank you, Sue.