The Nursing Community Honors Nurse Hailey’s Legacy and Rallies Behind Her Family
>> Click here to donate to Hailey's family GoFundMe
Nurses know how much heart goes into caring for others—both inside and outside the hospital. Giving their best at the bedside, and many carry that passion into teaching, mentoring, and creating resources to lift others up. Nurse Hailey Okula was one of those nurses.
On what should have been the most joyful day of their lives, Hailey passed away due to complications from childbirth, just after welcoming her and her husband Matt’s long-awaited son, Crew.
Now, Matt—an active firefighter—is navigating the unimaginable: grieving the loss of his wife while stepping into life as a new father. Matt shared the heart-wrenching news on social media. If you feel called to do so, considering donating to their GoFundMe or Zelle to help the family during this deeply difficult transition.
A Devoted Wife, Nurse, and Educator
Matt’s tribute posted on Instagram speaks volumes to Hailey’s strength, love, and selflessness:
“Hailey was more than I could have ever dreamed of in a wife and partner. She was gorgeous, smart, hardworking, passionate, trustworthy, and above all else, unbelievably loyal… I will never forget the moment I broke down, apologizing for the toll the process would take on her. She held my face, looked into my eyes, and said, ‘We are a team, and we’ll get through this together.’ That was Hailey. A fighter. A teammate. A woman who would do anything for the people she loved.”
Hailey was not only a dedicated ER nurse—she was a true force within the nursing community. In 2019, after facing her own challenges as a new grad, she founded RN New Grads, a platform to support fellow nurses starting out in the profession. What began as a simple resource guide quickly grew into a full-fledged hub offering digital tools, cheat sheets, interview flashcards, and practical advice for nurses navigating the early stages of their careers.
Hailey brought her humor, clinical knowledge, and real-life ER experiences to her community through Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube (@rnnewgrads), where she had built a following of hundreds of thousands. Her skits, stories, and educational tips resonated deeply with those walking the same path she once did.
“She dreamed of helping new nurses thrive while also being present for our sweet Crew, building a life and legacy she was so proud of,” Matt shared.
What Supporters Should Know About RN New Grads
As the family takes time to grieve and heal, Matt has offered the following guidance to Hailey’s community:
- Please do not purchase physical products at this time. Matt is still working through the logistics of the business and needs time to sort everything out.
- Digital products are still available and can continue to be purchased as normal.
- If you have questions or issues with an order, Matt asks for patience and promises to work through any concerns when he is able.
“Hailey refused to hire anyone to run her business, partly because we’re so cheap (lol), but more so because she was beyond passionate about her content,” Matt wrote. “She was really particular, making sure she truly liked what was being posted and every resource she created. There’s so much unposted material and so many products she was so excited to share. I’m going to do everything I can to figure out how to continue this business in her honor.”
He added:
“Please continue to follow and share her content to help keep her passion for educating nurses and healthcare workers alive. You all made such an incredible impact on her life, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.”
How You Can Help
In addition to continuing to support Hailey’s platform, a GoFundMe campaign has been created to help give Matt time to grieve, heal, and be fully present for baby Crew. Contributions will go toward:
- Funeral and memorial expenses
- Household costs during this transition
- Childcare needs and supplies
- Time off work for Matt to care for Crew
👉 Support Matt and Baby Crew on GoFundMe
Matt has also shared that direct support through Zelle is welcomed by those who wish to help him step back from work while focusing on his son.
>>Click here to donate to their GoFundMe
“Please continue to hold our family, and especially little Crew, in your prayers as we learn to carry on without her. Her love and light will forever remain in all of our hearts.”
– Matt Okula
Hailey’s loss is felt deeply by everyone who followed her journey, learned from her wisdom, or found comfort in her honesty. Her dedication to nursing, her students, and her family has left a legacy that will continue to inspire for years to come.
Let’s honor Hailey by doing what nurses do best—showing up, caring deeply, and lifting each other up. Always and forever.
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