Have you read "Nursing Against the Odds"?

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If so, what are your opinions on the book? Is it a pretty acurate portrayal of nursing? I am still a student and while it is eye-opening for me, it doesn't make me want to be a nurse any less. Just wondering what others think about the book.

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I have not read the book, but judging from the title, yes, it is an accurate portrayal of nursing. Nursing is EXTREMELY difficult these days. The shortages make the work environment brutal. The focus on financial resource management in nursing is very prevalent. You will be called to come in during your days off, and you will feel guilty when you say no! Just try it out. If you like it, stick with it, if you don't like it, then find something else. You might want to interview the nurses you see during your clinicals to find out how they feel about nursing. Just try to keep in mind how you will feel when you work for one or two years. Will you still have the same passion as when you were a student?

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I haven't read it, but I would like to. Truthfully, I get clobbered on a regular basis by patient assignments that are far too high acuity for one nurse to handle, have to fight for my meal breaks, and am made to feel that it's a lack of time management on my part. I might be new still, but I know it's not just me, and it's not just my time management skills. I'm curious to see what the book has to say.

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I stopped reading it because it was so depressing, lol. From what I did read though, it is a really good book.

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IF that is the book by Suzanne Gordon the answer is "yes". The book has been read and discussed by many here. If you type Suzanne Gordon into search you will most likely see some of the discussions.

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

It's a bit pessimistic and SO FAR I'm glad to say that I haven't faced a good bit of what it talks about..but I have no doubt manymanymany nurses do.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I read it and it was a great book. Actually changed the way I feel about myself, interactions with doctors etc. It helped me recognize the important contribution I make and I am much stronger for that knowledge.

We are very lucky to have this author advocating for us. I have real all her books.

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It's true.

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Just ordered a used copy through Amazon, also ordered "Where Have All the Nurses Gone".

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Yes, there a lot in there that is true.

There is also a lot that is missing. The focus is on the negative and not the positive.

Work is work, and all jobs have their downsides.

Nursing does not hold the patent on job stress.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

It's all true. I think all nursing students should read that book before they are allowed entry into a nursing program. It'd weed out the pollyannas and the money-seekers.

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Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.
I stopped reading it because it was so depressing, lol. From what I did read though, it is a really good book.

I agree and so does the review on pages 14 & 15:

http://www.calnurses.org/publications/calnurse/2005/CaliforniaNurse_JulAug2005-Web.pdf

Her latest book is more hopeful:

http://www.amazon.com/Safety-Numbers-Nurse-patient-Politics/dp/080144683X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238872812&sr=8-1

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