Minooka Woman Honored for Nursing Excellence

Joan Kelley has a habit of excellence; in fact she recently won an award for that very thing.

Kelley, a 15-year resident of Minooka, is a nurse clinician in the emergency department at a level one trauma center and teaching hospital.

“Our department sees over 300 patients a day; In a typical day I can see anywhere from three to 25 patients” said Kelley who recently received the Award for Nursing Excellence, awarded annually by Christ Medical Center.

Christ Medical Center says the award is given to the person who best demonstrates outstanding commitment to nursing excellence and shows superior passion and grace in the care of patients and fulfillment of other nursing responsibilities.

“I went into health care because I wanted to teach but was undecided," Kelley said. "Health care is one of these fields where you can teach as you go. I like working and teaching in that environment. There is a lot of diversity and everyone learns from each other.”

Kelley has been a nurse for 13 years and also is currently continuing her formal education in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at Lewis University in Romeoville.

In addition to school, family and her day job, Kelley is chairman of the Nursing Advocacy Council which supports legislation that benefits health care, patients and the practice of nursing.

“We educate legislators about medical issues so that they understand how these things impact the people involved," she said. "We go down to Springfield in May for Advocacy Day to meet and discuss current issues with representatives.

"We also hold a forum in the fall where legislators are invited to town hall meetings so that health care communities can talk about pending legislation with the people making the laws."

Kelley believes the worst part of health care is lack of insurance and the costs involved if you don’t have any

"I don’t know what the solution to this is because it’s just not that simple," she said. "I do know that one of the key aspects to focus on is prevention.

Kelley does a big share of educating and mentoring both in her career and at home. She has coached many emergency nurses and serves as a tutor for the Joliet Junior College nursing program.

“I come from a nursing family, my husband is a nurse and my daughter will be graduating from the nursing program at JJC in December," she said.  "Excellence, as I see it, is listening to the patient and working to provide the best medical interventions for them so that they get better both physically psychologically."

"People are scared when they are sick or injured, and if you approach them in a caring manner – they will open themselves up to you faster."

She believes that is a big part of getting people back on the road to recovery.

Kelley has her own standard of excellence as well. She believes in “doing the best that I can for everyone and just doing the right thing; being able to provide guidance when necessary both at work and within my family.”

She has college-age children and acknowledges the importance family has to her. She also said her husband is her hero.

“My husband is kind, intelligent and gentle; he is also a nurse and one of the smartest people I know" said Kelley of the man with whom she celebrates 25 years of marriage this year.