If you have read Nursing Against the Odds

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

have you read

nursing against the odds: how health care cost cutting, media stereotypes, and medical hubris undermine nurses and patient care

by [color=#003399]suzanne gordon?

if you have read the book, please answer the poll question:

using percentages, choose a number that describes how much of this book accurately depicts nursing at the bedside today.

1. 0%

2. 10-25%

3. 25-40%

4. 40-50%

5. 50-75%

6. 75-90%

7. 90-95%

8. 95-99%

9. 100%

10. other -- please discuss

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

I'd like to share my experience with how this book has affected my thinking.

Ms. Gordon talks about how nurses are not even identified as nurses in hospital publications (page176) so as I read our next newsletter, I noticed that it was true. I'd never questioned it before.

Our newsletter talked about a new Onco service that was available and it was planned and headed by doctors and nurses. The doctors were all identified with their full names and M.D. credentials. The nurses, even those who I knew to be MSN and PhD - prepared, were referred to without mention of any credentials and were called by their first names throughout the article, even though some of the docs were only marginally associated with this Unit's planning.

It made me think about how this undermines us.

[fancee free]

It's an excellent book, one all nurses should take the time to read. Gordon isn't a nurse, but does an excellent job of discussing the problems of nursing, and how nurses are treated by their employer, the public, and how nurses treat each other. One controversial issue is the image of nurses, potrayed as "angels" and "caring", however rarely viewed as intelligent and educated who make vital decisions that affect life and death, health and illness. She critizises the Johnson&Johnson campaign they had about nurses because it ignores the intelligence of nurses. She goes into much more depth about it, but it really is enlightening.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Agreed, it is a fine book and has really opened my eyes to many things.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Agreed, it is a fine book and has really opened my eyes to many things.

How has it opened your eyes? Has it changed your attitude or the way you practice?

Care to share?

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Little things. Like in what I say to patients, how I chart, where I position myself when Surgery comes to round.

I no longer hang out in the back or off to the side. I'm right in the middle. After all, I am the nurse for this pt, and I have valuable information to share.

Also, I chart when I bring up things to the phsyician. I take credit for the things I should take credit for. I dont' say, "let me ask your Dr", I say, "I will discusss this with the Dr."

But, I still don't mind being called by my first name, I'm ok with that.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Ooops! I was referring to the book, From Silence to Voice! My bad.

I haven't read Nursing against the Odds.

[nurseinlimbo]

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of this book from Amazon. Can't wait to read it!

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of this book from Amazon. Can't wait to read it!

I can't wait to hear what you think as you read it! Please share as you read!

[RNfaster]

I think the book is very thought-provoking. I think if she used a more neutral voice her arguments would be stronger. At times, she relies too much on limited anecdotal evidence to support her arguments (which hinders them). As I am exposed more to the field I believe that many of the issues cited have validity.

I have a background that includes journalism. I am waiting for a slot in nursing school. I was just rereading sections of the book last night.

[VivaRN]

Both are great books and should be required reading.

Understanding the issues has made me more assertive about how nurses are portrayed, as well as more cognizant of power dynamics.

We need more journalists to write about nursing. When I was younger I wanted to be a physician because that's who I read about at the library. Hero physicians. We need more stories about Hero Nurses - showing our intelligence, critical thinking and compassion.

Let's tell the world what we do.

[smk1, LPN]

I read most of it and then my copy was stolen at my garage sale this summer. (I really need to get on amazon and get another). It had many thought provoking issues. I think it definitely makes some good points.