Hailey Okula Has Died Aged 33
Influencer Hailey Okula has tragically died aged 33.
Okula was an ER nurse known online as Nurse Hailey, with a following of nearly one million.
The 33-year-old amassed a loyal following as she documented her life as an ER nurse and shared vulnerable content about her infertility and journey with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Okula founded RN New Grads in 2019 to support newly graduated nurses, providing information about finding work and starting a nursing career.
After hearing the devastating news of the 33-year-old’s passing, tributes are pouring in from fans.
One follower says: “I’m heartbroken. Sending all my love to you and your family.”
Another adds: “She was my nurse during one of my toughest hospitalizations. I’ll never forget her kindness and quick help.”
“This has left so many of us shattered. The impact Hailey made in everyone’s life shows. We love you so much,” a third types.
“Absolutely devastating,” a fourth replies. “She helped me and so many other people through the trenches of nursing school. I am so sorry!”
In September, Okula announced she was expecting her first child with her LAFD Firefighter husband Matthew: “Being able to say that we are pregnant is indescribable.
“From my infertility problems to my husband’s infertility problems, to us having to create a special probe because we both carry the same genetic disease, lots of meds and lots of money, the journey has been hard but so worth it.”
Tragically, Matthew announced the death of his wife on Instagram.
The heartbreaking post reads: “It is with the heaviest of heart that I share the devastating news of the unexpected passing of my beautiful wife, Hailey Marie Okula.
“Words cannot convey the depth of the loss I feel. 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.
“For nearly 13 years, she stood by my side in the hardest of times, loving me endlessly, even when I felt undeserving of that love. She was my everything.”
Okula suffered a cardiac arrest caused by an amniotic fluid embolism shortly after giving birth to her son, Crew.
Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but life-threatening obstetric emergency where amniotic fluid, containing fetal cells and debris, enters the mother’s bloodstream, triggering a severe, often fatal, reaction, as per Cleveland Clinic.
Matthew spoke with Fox 11 Los Angeles about the devastating last moments with Okula.
He said they’d shared a tender moment right after their son’s birth; they laughed slightly, and Okula shed a tear.
Matthew left the room as the doctors went to clean her up.
“A minute later, the doctor comes in and lets me know that they’re doing CPR on her,” Okula’s husband added. “I’m making the decision, am I going to the ICU with my wife or am I staying with my newborn, little baby — not a decision we thought I would be making.
“There’s no treatment. There’s no way of diagnosing it.”
Matthew wrote to social media that although her time was cut short, her love for her baby was ‘limitless’ and she would have been the ‘most amazing mother.’
You can donate to the Matthew Okula GoFundMe here.
Okula is survived by her husband, Matthew, and their son Crew.
