For Hailey, nursing wasn’t just a career — it was her calling. She loved caring for others, teaching, and inspiring future nurses. But above everything else, she dreamed of becoming a mother. After years of infertility and countless hurdles, she finally reached the day she had been waiting for — only for fate to turn her joy into heartbreak.
Hailey and her husband, Matthew Okula, had endured years of failed attempts at starting a family. Infertility tested their marriage, but together they pushed forward, supporting one another through the pain. IVF became their last hope, and after many emotional and physical challenges, Hailey finally became pregnant. The news brought overwhelming relief — their long-awaited child was on the way.
Even while preparing for motherhood, Hailey stayed fully committed to her career. She worked as a nurse, mentor, and entrepreneur, building a platform called RN New Grads that reached nearly a million aspiring nurses around the world. Her posts combined humor and practical advice, giving hope to new healthcare workers who looked up to her as both a teacher and a friend.
On March 29, 2025, Hailey and Matthew welcomed their son, Crew, by cesarean section. The moment was filled with love and relief. Matthew cut the cord, held their baby, and watched Hailey share a small joke about Crew’s size — a glimpse of joy after such a long journey. But just minutes later, everything changed.
Hailey suddenly said, “I don’t feel good,” before going into cardiac arrest. Doctors fought to save her as Matthew stood torn between his newborn son and his wife. In his final moments with her, he kissed her and told her how proud he was.
Doctors revealed that Hailey had suffered from a rare condition called amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). This unpredictable and often fatal complication occurs when amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream, triggering a catastrophic reaction. It strikes without warning, progresses rapidly, and leaves little chance for treatment.
Hailey’s passing left Matthew devastated. In a statement, he described her as his everything — beautiful, loyal, hardworking, and deeply loving. More than anything, she had longed to be a mother, and though her time with Crew was only a fleeting moment, her love for him was undeniable.
The loss was felt not only by her family but also by the nursing community she had inspired and the countless people she had mentored. Matthew, a firefighter, has since spoken publicly about their tragedy to raise awareness of AFE while focusing on raising Crew in honor of Hailey’s legacy.
Though her life was cut short on the very day she became a mother, Hailey’s spirit lives on — through her son, through Matthew, and through the thousands of lives she touched with her work and passion.