Kelley Stefanec
February 2026
Kelley
Stefanec
,
BSN
ED
CHI Health St. Francis
Grand Island
,
NE
United States
Without hesitation, she took the initiative to call for help. It was a quick, intelligent decision that demonstrated strong critical thinking and advocacy for patient safety.
Kelley showed exceptional teamwork, clinical judgement, and unwavering support during a high acuity trauma. On this shift, we were faced with not one, not two, but three patients with, at the time, an unknown level of trauma. In the midst of the chaos and extreme pressure, Kelley was a constant source of calm, competence, and reliability.

Anything I needed, Kelley was already there. Her communication was clear, concise and purposeful, allowing critical tasks to be carried out without delay or the need for repetition. This level of awareness and teamwork made a significant difference in the care we were able to provide.

Most notably, when one patient's condition became increasingly dangerous and we were unable to safely remove him from the vehicle. Kelley immediately recognised the urgency of the situation. Without hesitation, she took the initiative to call for help. It was a quick, intelligent decision that demonstrated strong critical thinking and advocacy for patient safety.

I am genuinely astonished by Kelley’s performance during this trauma and deeply grateful to have had her by my side. Her actions exemplify the very essence of nursing excellence, teamwork and patient-centred care. Kelley is truly deserving of the DAISY award.
***
Nurse Kelley provided truly exceptional care during my ER visit. And I am very grateful for the time and attention she gave me. From the beginning, she made an effort to ensure I understood what was happening with my care. She sat down with me in my room and carefully reviewed my test results, explaining what each one meant in a clear, patient and compassionate way. Her willingness to take that extra time helped ease my worries and made me feel informed and involved rather than overwhelmed. She was also very attentive to my comfort throughout my stay.

At one point, when I became overheated, she noticed and brought me a fan to help cool me down. That small but thoughtful gesture made a big difference and showed how observant and responsive she is to her patients’ needs. In addition to her professionalism, Kelley brought a warm and friendly presence into the room. She shared light conversation and even a few laughs with me, which helped relieve stress and made an otherwise difficult situation feel much more manageable.

Her ability to balance clinical excellence with genuine kindness and a reassuring sense of humour is a gift! Kelley exemplifies the kind of nurse every patient hopes to have: knowledgeable, attentive, compassionate and personable. I truly appreciate the care she provided and hope she receives recognition for the positive impact she has on her patients.