Audrey
Kelly
November 2025
Audrey
Kelly
,
BSN, RN, NE-BC
Froedtert Hospital
Milwaukee
,
WI
United States
It is with great admiration and respect that I nominate Audrey Kelly, 4PV Nurse Manager, for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators. For the past 23+ years as Nurse Manager on 4PV, she has been an exceptional mentor, leader, and advocate, not only for our patients but also for our team. Her unwavering support and dedication have left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her.
Throughout our time working together over the past 17 years (14 years in my 4PV ANM role), she has mentored me as the Assistant Nurse Manager with patience, wisdom, and integrity. Her leadership style is one that fosters autonomy while ensuring that I always feel heard, valued, and empowered. She promotes an environment where professional growth is valued through her consistent guidance and genuine encouragement.
She has been a role model for me with her communication style, attention to detail, and adaptability through complex times (pandemic, renovation projects, double occupancy beds to support hospital capacity, etc.) She is proactive in her approach and develops clear plans that help create a stable environment as well as collaboration with the interdisciplinary teams involved.
Audrey also promotes the professional growth of all team members and helps them achieve their own personal professional success. 4PV currently has 72% of eligible nurses awarded their PDP, and 1 4PV CNA who have achieved their 2nd CNA Pathway! We have 8 RNs with Specialty Certification, including Audrey, who leads by example and has held her NE-BC for many years!
She also supports those seeking advanced degrees, including 4 who currently have their Advanced Degree, and 4 additional RNs who are actively in Advanced Degree Nursing Programs! We also have 74% of our CNAs in RN or other degree programs! This demonstrates a unit culture where Professional Development/Education is not only promoted, but there is a high degree of engagement to achieve the best outcomes for the team and our patients!
What truly sets Audrey apart is her ability to lead with both compassion and strength. She truly listens, responds thoughtfully, and consistently advocates for her team and for practices that lead to the best possible patient outcomes.
She strikes a rare balance, consistent in her expectations, yet flexible in her approach; she sets the tone with high standards, but always leads with empathy and kindness. She delivers fair, honest feedback in a way that inspires me, as well as team members, to enhance their nursing practice.
Her leadership has cultivated a unit culture built on respect, collaboration, and excellence. 4PV is often recognized for achieving exceptional Quality Metrics and High Staff Engagement. Audrey celebrates the successes of others, lifts those who are struggling, and models the very best of what nursing leadership should be.
I am grateful to work under her mentorship and see the powerful impact she has made, not just on me, but on countless nurses who have grown under her guidance. She is, without question, the kind of leader who makes a difference every single day.
Throughout our time working together over the past 17 years (14 years in my 4PV ANM role), she has mentored me as the Assistant Nurse Manager with patience, wisdom, and integrity. Her leadership style is one that fosters autonomy while ensuring that I always feel heard, valued, and empowered. She promotes an environment where professional growth is valued through her consistent guidance and genuine encouragement.
She has been a role model for me with her communication style, attention to detail, and adaptability through complex times (pandemic, renovation projects, double occupancy beds to support hospital capacity, etc.) She is proactive in her approach and develops clear plans that help create a stable environment as well as collaboration with the interdisciplinary teams involved.
Audrey also promotes the professional growth of all team members and helps them achieve their own personal professional success. 4PV currently has 72% of eligible nurses awarded their PDP, and 1 4PV CNA who have achieved their 2nd CNA Pathway! We have 8 RNs with Specialty Certification, including Audrey, who leads by example and has held her NE-BC for many years!
She also supports those seeking advanced degrees, including 4 who currently have their Advanced Degree, and 4 additional RNs who are actively in Advanced Degree Nursing Programs! We also have 74% of our CNAs in RN or other degree programs! This demonstrates a unit culture where Professional Development/Education is not only promoted, but there is a high degree of engagement to achieve the best outcomes for the team and our patients!
What truly sets Audrey apart is her ability to lead with both compassion and strength. She truly listens, responds thoughtfully, and consistently advocates for her team and for practices that lead to the best possible patient outcomes.
She strikes a rare balance, consistent in her expectations, yet flexible in her approach; she sets the tone with high standards, but always leads with empathy and kindness. She delivers fair, honest feedback in a way that inspires me, as well as team members, to enhance their nursing practice.
Her leadership has cultivated a unit culture built on respect, collaboration, and excellence. 4PV is often recognized for achieving exceptional Quality Metrics and High Staff Engagement. Audrey celebrates the successes of others, lifts those who are struggling, and models the very best of what nursing leadership should be.
I am grateful to work under her mentorship and see the powerful impact she has made, not just on me, but on countless nurses who have grown under her guidance. She is, without question, the kind of leader who makes a difference every single day.