Jacquelyn Johnson-Kruse, RN

My journey with Jackie began in 2010 — a day that changed my life forever. As a high school senior facing an unplanned pregnancy, my boyfriend and I made the difficult decision to place our baby for adoption. It was a selfless act rooted in love, and one we believed would provide him with the best possible future.

When I arrived at the hospital to give birth, Jackie was one of my nurses. From the moment we met, I felt an overwhelming sense of safety and compassion. Jackie never passed judgment, never made me feel ashamed or uncertain. She answered every question with patience, walked me through each step of the process, and treated me with such warmth and dignity that I genuinely felt seen and supported.

She became more than a nurse — she became my advocate, my protector, and my steady presence during a time of profound vulnerability. Jackie helped me navigate difficult family dynamics with grace, ensuring my voice was always heard.

When it came time for our baby boy to go home with his adoptive family, Jackie stayed by my side. She made countless footprints and memory keepsakes, understanding before I did how precious those mementos would be. And when I left the hospital with empty arms, Jackie walked with me to my car, ending our shared journey with the most meaningful, loving hug — one I’ll never forget.

In the days, weeks, and months that followed, I struggled. I felt lost. But what I held onto was how Jackie made me feel. That feeling inspired me to pursue a career in nursing. I wanted to give others the same care, love, and advocacy Jackie gave me.

And when nursing school felt impossible,  when the weight of it all felt too much, I reminded myself of my “why.” I reminded myself of Jackie.

Fast forward several years, and I’ve now been a nurse for over a decade. I’ve been honored with awards such as Gundersen’s 2019 Nurse of the Year and the 2024 DAISY Award from Sauk Prairie Healthcare. I truly believe I would not have achieved these without the inspiration Jackie gave me. Nursing can be a tough profession, and on the hard days, I think of her and I keep going.

Our paths crossed again in 2020, when I returned to Sauk to deliver my and my husband's second son. Jackie was our lactation nurse, and the moment I asked if she remembered me and showed her a picture from 2010, I saw the same warmth in her eyes that I remembered.

It was during the peak of COVID, a time of uncertainty, but Jackie again brought calm, compassion, and love into our experience. She made us feel safe and cared for, just like she always had.

And again, in 2023, we had the blessing of having Jackie involved in the birth of our third child. It felt like the perfect bookend to a journey that had started with her years before. Her care, her heart, her soul — none of it had changed. She was still the same incredible nurse, pouring love into every patient she met.

After that delivery, Jackie and others encouraged me to consider joining the Sauk team. I eventually applied and accepted a position in Acute Care, once again, with Jackie in my corner, supporting and believing in me.

Over the 15 years I’ve known Jackie, she has never changed who she is. Her heart is present in every interaction, every task, every patient encounter. The ripple effect of her care extends far beyond the patients she directly serves, as she helped mold me into the nurse I am today. And through me, her impact continues to touch countless lives.

This may not be a nomination rooted in one recent event, but rather in a legacy of compassion, excellence, and unwavering humanity. Jackie Johnson-Kruse is being recognized for the decades of dedication she has given to the nursing profession and the countless lives she has forever changed.