I first met Carla when she came into my room to ask me to drink some apple juice because my baby was a little sleepy during my NST after my water broke at 32 weeks. The next night, Carla was my nurse, and I immediately felt her calm presence and compassion. Carla treated me like a friend and would often stay in my room, talking with my husband and me. During one of our talks, I expressed my concern about what to expect when delivering a baby at 34 weeks. Carla sat down in my room and explained everything I could expect to happen during my induction, labor, and delivery. I appreciated the time she spent with me explaining everything, and after that, I started to look forward to every weekend night shift, hoping to see Carla walk into my room.

After delivery, I learned Carla switched a shift to be at West Des Moines for my induction. I delivered before her shift, but was so touched to hear her want to be there for me. While my daughter was in the NICU, Carla would visit her during her shift when I wasn't there. Carla left me handwritten notes of encouragement, telling me how well my daughter was doing. I recall the first letter she wrote, offering me tips for navigating the NICU and reminding me to make time for myself. I still have every note she wrote. I am extremely grateful to have met Carla and to have her be one of the nurses who took care of me. Her kindness and compassion are something every patient should experience, and my experience would have been very different without her. Carla was not only just my nurse, but we also remained close after my stay and are friends to this day.