She is the assistant administrator/CNO for Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. McKinley has more than 22 years professional nursing experience, including seven years of progressive management, three years as a nursing instructor, and more than 12 years as an adult critical care nurse in both Southwest Mississippi and Louisiana. Other nurse leadership roles include active membership in Mississippi's Organization for Nurse Executives, Mississippi Nurses’ Association, and American College of Health Care Executives, as well as being a member of several health care advisory boards within her community.