Daisy Nurse Leader: Stephanie Leiva (PICU Nurse Manager)
November 2025
As a new hire, walking into a new unit was both exciting and intimidating. I was eager to learn, but I also carried the quiet fear of making mistakes and not yet knowing where I fit. From my very first days on the unit, our nurse manager Stephanie Leiva, made all the difference.
What stands out most is how present and visible she is. She doesn’t lead from behind a desk, she leads from the unit. She knows the flow, the patients, and the people, and she makes a point to check in, not just to ask how things are going, but to truly listen. As a new nurse, that presence alone made me feel seen, valued, and supported.
Her support goes far beyond words. She consistently adapts and flexes to ensure the teams needs are met, even if it means juggling crazy hours. She makes those tough decisions but always remaining fair, transparent and considers our input. When things get busy or a patient begins to decompensate, she doesn’t hesitate to step in. She jumps right into patient care alongside the team, calmly guiding, teaching, and supporting in real time. Seeing her at the bedside during high-stress moments instills confidence, not just in the plan of care, but in ourselves as nurses. One evening, our team faced a critical moment when a young patient began to rapidly decompensate. Without hesitation, Steph was at the bedside. She didn’t just observe, she jumped in to help, guiding the team with quiet confidence. Her calm direction and reassuring words kept everyone focused and steady. Instead of taking over, she worked side by side with her nurses, explaining each step and turning a stressful event into a powerful learning experience. Seeing the trust and respect that my peers and doctors have in her is a testament to her leadership. This is just one of many similar situations I’ve witnessed of Steph in action. She leads by example, showing us what it means to put patients and her staff first.
She is deeply caring, not only toward patients and families, but toward her team. She recognizes how overwhelming it can be to for all of us both old and new. She never makes anyone feel small for asking questions or needing help. Instead, she creates an environment where learning is encouraged and mistakes are treated as opportunities to grow. Her kindness, patience, and reassurance have made my transition into this role feel safe and supported.
Above all, she shows up, every single time. Whether it’s staying late, stepping into a difficult situation, or simply checking on a nurse after a hard shift, she consistently demonstrates what compassionate, hands-on leadership looks like. Because of her, I feel confident, supported, and proud to be part of this team.
She embodies everything the DAISY Award represents, and I am incredibly grateful to learn and grow under her leadership. I hope that you will consider this nomination, because if anyone deserves it, it’s Steph!
