How Stemper’s signature leadership style puts people first
Through compassion-driven leadership, Nathalee Stemper, MSN, RN, CCRN, creates a culture where others feel supported and valued.
When colleagues are asked to describe Nathalee Stemper, the same words pop up: Compassionate. Collaborative. Courageous. Competent. Communicative.
But “caring” is the word mentioned most often.
As the director of nursing services for Intensive and Specialty Services (ISS), Stemper is known not only for her clinical excellence, but as someone who genuinely cares for her colleagues and actively works to create a culture where kindness and concern for one another are just as important as the care provided to patients.
“She sets the expectation of caring and compassion within ISS, and she empowers our team to think about how we might carry each other in a meaningful way,” says Samantha Engblom, MSN, RN, CCRN, nurse practicing leader for ISS.
She is also known for her ability to create trust and understanding, even while having difficult conversations. Engblom says Stemper has a remarkable ability to stay calm and hopeful regardless of a challenge and diffuses high-tension situations in a positive manner.
“Nathalee cares about the mental, physical, and emotional health of her team,” notes Engblom. “She is empathetic to personal stressors and will provide support, an understanding ear, and often a handwritten card. She knows her team and how to motivate us.”
The impacts aren’t just anecdotal; an annual staff engagement survey showed a 22% increase in her team feeling mentally and emotionally healthy.
“Nathalee isn’t just an excellent leader, but she is a caring individual,” says Aly Reicks, MSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, CMC, nurse manager in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. “She cares deeply for each and every one of her team members and it really shows in her daily work.”
Leading through collaboration
When asked about her style of leadership, Stemper says she can best be described as a collaborator.
“I’m not the number one expert on all things in nursing or ISS, so I think it’s important that we get everybody at the table when we’re making decisions,” says Stemper. “There are so many departments and people to tap into here at UI Health Care who are experts in their field. When we come together, we can make sure we’re providing the best care possible.”
As a director, Stemper spends a lot of time in meetings and working on forward-thinking strategic plans, but she also prioritizes spending time on units to understand how each is functioning and what challenges they may be running into, so that she can be an advocate on their behalf.
“Being where the work is actually done is really important to me,” says Stemper.
Stemper is also known to jump in and help wherever needed. When areas are short on staff or handling emergencies, she helps transfer patients or draw labs so nursing staff can prioritize other duties.
Although her colleagues appreciate Stemper for all she has done to foster a great culture in ISS, the patient metrics also reflect advancements in quality under her watch.
Since her start as nursing director for ISS, there has been a significant improvement in nurse-related metrics. This includes a 62% reduction in hospital-acquired pressure injuries, 29% reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infection, and an 83% reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections for the division.
Stemper says the improvement is a result of collaboration between units. “When our teams work together, we build connections that translate into better care and better outcomes for our patients," she notes.
“Her shared vision and enthusiasm have not only enhanced patient care outcomes but have also fostered a cohesive and motivated team dedicated to excellence,” adds Engblom.
A ‘prime example’ of what a nurse should strive to be
In recognition of all Stemper’s contributions to her patients and colleagues, she was recently honored with the 2025 DAISY Nurse Leader Award.
“Nathalee is a prime example of what a nurse should strive to be.... compassionate, kind, smart, empathetic, adaptive, calming, and so much more,” notes Engblom, who nominated Stemper for the award.
Ever modest, Stemper says that while she is humbled and grateful to have been selected for the award, she thinks it is more of a reflection of what the team has accomplished rather than what she’s done.
“It was everybody working together to achieve the things that we've achieved in the last couple of years that deserve to be recognized — everyone from leaders to frontline staff who are at the bedside caring for those patients,” says Stemper. “We've built a pretty solid team within ISS, and one that I'm extremely proud of."
