S4 Health Care Heroes 2025
www.kearneyhub.com Kearney Hub SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025
SHARI DAKAN | KEARNEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER From Bedside to Leadership: Shari Dakan’s Impact on Nursing Practice and Culture
With over two decades of experience in healthcare, Shari Dakan has seen the profession evolve, transform, and face unprecedented challenges. As an RN Nurse Manager at Kearney Regional, Shari’s role is as much about leader- ship as it is about compassion—balanc-
part of the job was, she would have pointed to the difficulty of managing traumatic situ - ations on the floor and ensuring there were enough hands on deck. Since the pandemic, however, the challenges have taken on a different shape. “Now, the hardest part is keep - ing staff engaged, finding the right people to join our teams, and making sure everyone feels supported and seen,” Shari says. “The emotional climate of healthcare has changed, and as a leader, I have to adapt to that.” Despite these challenges, Shari’s passion for her work has never wavered. Her voice lights up when she speaks about her team. “The most rewarding thing for me—hands down—is my staff. The nurses on the Medical-Surgical Unit, the Float Pool team, and the House Supervisors—I look up to them. Every single day. They are dedicated, skilled, and compassionate. I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside them.” Shari has had many rewarding moments throughout her career. From working with families during difficult hospital stays to being recognized with leadership awards, her journey is filled with milestones that reflect her impact. But more than any single event, it’s the consistency of doing good work and offering comfort to patients who didn’t plan on being in the hospital that matters most to her. “When we go above and beyond to make their stay more comfortable, when we show them kindness, compassion, and provide top-tier care—that’s when I feel proud to be a nurse. That’s what it’s all about.” Reflecting on her decision to enter the field, Shari has no regrets. “To this day, I am so glad I chose this path. I wouldn’t change it for anything,” she says firmly. “Nursing is more than a job—it’s who I am.” For those considering a career in healthcare, Shari offers both encouragement and hon - esty. “You have to feel the pull,” she says. “Healthcare isn’t something you just do— it’s something you live. I can’t teach someone compassion or empathy. But if you have the will to help others, and you’re willing to be selfless, the possibilities in this field are endless. There’s always room
to grow, always someone to help, always something meaningful to do.” In a world where healthcare continues to face complex challenges, professionals like Shari Dakan remind us what true leadership and heart in nursing look like—steadfast, empathetic, and unwavering in the commit- ment to care.
Shari Dakan
ing the logistics of patient care with the emotional pulse of the nursing staff she leads. Her journey into nursing was inspired by deeply personal experiences and has since grown into a lifetime of service that has impacted countless lives. Shari entered the healthcare field with a strong sense of purpose. As a young woman, she watched her mother fight a long battle with cancer, and it was the presence and compassion of her mother’s nurses that left a lasting impression. “They were so involved, so present,” she recalls. “They weren’t just doing tasks—they were with her, emotionally and physically. I remember thinking, ‘That’s what I want to do. I want to be that person for someone else.’” That decision would become the foundation of a career that has brought Shari both personal fulfillment and professional pride. Over the years, Shari has worked in a variety of roles and departments, gaining not just clinical experience but deep insight into the many dimensions of nursing. Now, as a nurse manager, her focus has shifted slightly— from direct patient care to supporting those who give it. “My job today isn’t overly emotional in the traditional sense,” she explains. “But there are hard days— especially when my staff is struggling. My role is to provide them with the tools they need to be successful, and to help carry the load when it gets heavy.” That emotional load has certainly changed over time. If you had asked her five years ago what the most emotionally challenging
Words can’t say just how much we appreciate the dedication and sacrifice of our community’s hospital workers and frontline heroes. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for everything you do. ThankYou Healthcare Heroes!
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