Pediatric Nursing Program
Shelley Keefe, BN, RN, MEd, IBCLC
Shelley first started her nursing career as a Registered Nurse in 1989 after graduating from Memorial University with her Bachelor of Nursing. She has worked in NICUs and healthcare facilities across Canada through her career. Shelley has had an expansive career in the perinatal and newborn world with experience ranging from clinical nursing in the NICU, working as an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in the Breastfeeding Clinic, Clinical Nurse Educator for the Eastern Zone, and as a Public Health Nurse with the Early Years Program. She has held instructor and facilitator roles with various perinatal educational courses.
She completed a Master of Education with a focus in Postsecondary Education in 2015. Shelley is passionate about lifelong learning and firmly believes that any education that we participate in builds our knowledge base and makes us better nurses! She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with new nurses, guiding their knowledge acquisition, and sharing in their enthusiasm for learning. She brings a compassionate, experiential approach to teaching and believes that we all learn from one another when we share our knowledge and experiences.
Shelley is excited to further enhance her career while working at the Learning Institute. The perinatal and newborn setting has always been her career home and she is passionate about ensuring that all moms, babies, and families in Nova Scotia receive the best care possible. She believes that education of perinatal and newborn staff is key to achieving this goal.
When not at work, Shelley enjoys spending time with her husband and family, especially her grandbabies and her many fur babies! She hails from Newfoundland and takes every opportunity to travel back to her roots, as well as taking time to explore the world!
Danielle Hillman, RN, BScN, IBCLC
Danielle has been a Registered Nurse since 2014, having received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cape Breton University. Her professional journey began in Obstetrics and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Cape Breton, where she discovered a profound passion for working with the perinatal and neonatal populations. Danielle's career has allowed her many rewarding opportunities for professional growth, ranging from providing direct patient care to assuming various leadership positions working within Perinatal and Neonatal. In more recent years, Danielle has had the opportunity to support health care providers across Nova Scotia caring for perinatal and neonatal patients and is excited to continue doing so with the Learning Institute as Perinatal Nursing Instructor IV.
Dedicated to professional growth and being a lifelong learner, Danielle has embraced being a mentor to colleagues, is an instructor for numerous professional courses, and is currently pursuing a Master of Nursing through Athabasca University. Danielle is dedicated to supporting nursing education and values having a supportive, innovative, and compassionate approach to her teaching. Along with being a Registered Nurse, Danielle is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Outside her professional endeavors, Danielle enjoys spending time with her son and husband and their family/friends. When not enjoying all the beauty Cape Breton has to offer, Danielle enjoys travelling to explore other areas of the world!
Aprill Costello, RN, BScN, BBA, IBCLC
Aprill Costello is a dedicated healthcare professional with a diverse and accomplished career in nursing. She holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cape Breton University. In 2014, April began her nursing career at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, where she stepped in to the role of an obstetrical nurse. While truly an obstetrical nurse at heart, over the past decade, she has gained extensive experience in various fields, including Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), Pediatrics, and as a Perinatal Clinic Nurse. Her career has offered numerous opportunities to expand her expertise, from bedside nursing to various leadership roles within Women and Children’s Health. Aprill is also a proud International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, further reflecting her commitment to supporting new mothers and families.
A strong advocate for quality care, Aprill has developed a robust background in Quality Improvement and has worked closely with the Breastfeeding Committee of Canada. She played a key role in facilitating the implementation of Baby Friendly Standards across both hospitals and community health groups throughout Canada.
Aprill strongly believes that no education is ever wasted, and she continuously seeks out opportunities for growth and professional development. She remains passionate about her work fostering the education and development of nurses, and strives to make a lasting impact in her community and the healthcare field.
When not immersed in the field of nursing, Aprill enjoys spending time in the great outdoors. She can be found chasing after her three children, embracing the energy and joy of family life.
Victoria Lewis, RN, BScN
Victoria graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cape Breton University in 2014 and has over a decade of nursing experience, with a strong focus on Pediatric nursing and Women and Children’s Health. She began her nursing career in Pediatrics at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and has held several leadership roles, including Pediatric Advanced Care Team Nurse Coordinator and Clinical Nurse Educator. These experiences allowed her to support children and families during vulnerable moments while mentoring nurses and helping them build confidence in their practice.
In addition to her hospital experience, Victoria has worked in Public Health in a variety of roles, including communicable disease prevention, immunization clinics, and population health initiatives. These experiences broadened her perspective on health care delivery and strengthened her ability to support nurses across diverse practice settings.
Her time as a Clinical Nurse Educator in the Eastern Zone, supporting Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care, Family Newborn, and Labour and Birth Units, further strengthened her passion for nursing education and mentorship. She enjoys creating supportive learning environments, using simulation and hands-on teaching, and helping nurses feel confident in their practice.
Outside of work, Victoria enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children and making the most of family life. She believes strongly in balancing work and home life and appreciates the everyday moments and memories that come with raising her family.
Program Administrative Officer
Lexi Stevens, BMgmt
Lexi has joined the Learning Institute for Health Care Professionals in January 2025 supporting Cancer Care and the Woman & Children’s Programs as a Program Admin Officer. She has completed an undergraduate degree in Business Management at Dalhousie University and a Psychologically Safe Leadership Certificate through the University of New Brunswick. Lexi enjoys being a part of the motivated team at the Learning Institute and hopes to continue to build on her knowledge and skillset.
In her spare time, Lexi is at local framer’s markets with friends or walking her dog, Horton. She also volunteers weekly at the Ronald McDonald House, providing comfort and support to Nova Scotian families.