Carly Overhauser
March 2025
Carly
Overhauser
,
RN
Emergency Department
VA Portland Health Care System
Portland
,
OR
United States
I felt heard, seen, and cared for.
I arrived at the ER with crushing chest pain, pain between my shoulder blades, and discomfort radiating down my left arm and into my neck. I was frightened. From the moment I arrived, the response was swift and caring. Carly introduced herself right away and calmly explained everything she was doing. That simple act lowered the anxiety I was experiencing. Carly and another RN shared in caring for me, and between the two of them, I never felt alone. I felt heard, seen, and cared for. Carly made sure I had privacy when changing clothes and listened to me when I spoke. At no point did I feel ignored, abandoned, or left behind. Carly and the team explained every piece of technology that was used to treat a cardiac event gently and thoroughly. Thank you, Carly.