Nursing Against the Odds

MsBruiser · Jul 2, 2008

I'm reading a really good book right now titled Nursing Against the Odds by Suzanne Gordon. I recommend that anyone pick up a copy next time they go to Barns & Noble. So far I'm really enjoying it. It's an advocacy for nurses which explains certain things about the nursing profession which the public may have never known, and why things are they way they are.
-David

Well...I would take that book with some serious grains of salt. First, she is not a nurse. Yes - she has talked to many, many nurses. But she has not worked as a nurse - I think that makes a difference in her tone/observations. I also found it focused on some very real negatives of the profession - and ignores lots of the positives. Nursing is like any other field - positives should outweigh the negatives for a happy, productive employee. She tends to swing one way on the continuum - towards the negative. It is a good read for someone wanting to know the downside of nursing...My overall thoughts - working only three days a week makes it easier to swallow lots of the negativity.

silentRN · Jul 3, 2008

Well...I would take that book with some serious grains of salt. First, she is not a nurse. Yes - she has talked to many, many nurses. But she has not worked as a nurse - I think that makes a difference in her tone/observations. I also found it focused on some very real negatives of the profession - and ignores lots of the positives. Nursing is like any other field - positives should outweigh the negatives for a happy, productive employee. She tends to swing one way on the continuum - towards the negative. It is a good read for someone wanting to know the downside of nursing...My overall thoughts - working only three days a week makes it easier to swallow lots of the negativity.

Ya. I really don't always agree with everything that is being said. Today it was funny, a resident actually went up to me while I was sitting in my chair charting and asked if I needed anything done. HA! But anyways, I still believe it's a good read. I believe there is some truth in what she is saying as well.

-David

MsBruiser · Jul 4, 2008

Ya. I really don't always agree with everything that is being said. Today it was funny, a resident actually went up to me while I was sitting in my chair charting and asked if I needed anything done. HA! But anyways, I still believe it's a good read. I believe there is some truth in what she is saying as well.
-David

I hear you, brother. Maybe I just want to ignore the truths because they are too depressing! The nice things about the truths - they keep the nursing shortage acute and the salaries moving upwards. I've already gotten two raises and I haven't finished my first year. Already, some of my classmates are dropping like flies! Hospital nursing is very, very difficult - which Gordon captures quite well. Fortunately I have worked in other fields (business) - so I know the grass is never really greener. Also, I find the RN lifestyle addicting. I could not work a 5-day work week again!

silentRN · Jul 5, 2008

I hear you. I would never think about working a 5 day work week as well. I also couldn't see myself doing anything else besides nursing. To tell you the truth I actually love what I do. It is my first job where I looked forward to going to work, and that's something to say. Nursing just isn't for everyone, and there is a statistic out there saying that a third or half of nursing graduates will leave the profession within a few years. The shortage does play to our advantage :)

-David H.

MsBruiser · Jul 5, 2008

I hear you. I would never think about working a 5 day work week as well. I also couldn't see myself doing anything else besides nursing. To tell you the truth I actually love what I do. It is my first job where I looked forward to going to work, and that's something to say. Nursing just isn't for everyone, and there is a statistic out there saying that a third or half of nursing graduates will leave the profession within a few years. The shortage does play to our advantage :)
-David H.

I can't say I look forward to going to work. The job is too unpredictable for a rookie (first year ICU RN) - days are either really easy or really, really tough. BUT - once I get my assignment/report, I enjoy the job a lot. I just get some "anticipatory anxiety" before work! It is a sweet gig...I can totally understand why lots of people can't deal with the job...

Kabin · Jul 6, 2008

Hospital work is what it is. It's well documented, been that way for years, and most likely will continue. Fortunately there are a few healthier areas of nursing employment.

missrisa77 · Jul 7, 2008

..... I also couldn't see myself doing anything else besides nursing. To tell you the truth I actually love what I do. It is my first job where I looked forward to going to work, and that's something to say......
-David H.

I totally agree! I love coming on shift as a student or an extern (I'll love it more when I don't have schoolwork to do and I'm a full RN!). People in my class complain about clinicals or being at the hospital, and I think they're nuts. Yeah, I may be busy with homework, or tired, but I love being there to learn and participate in care.

Cursed Irishman · Jul 8, 2008

I totally agree! I love coming on shift as a student or an extern (I'll love it more when I don't have schoolwork to do and I'm a full RN!). People in my class complain about clinicals or being at the hospital, and I think they're nuts. Yeah, I may be busy with homework, or tired, but I love being there to learn and participate in care.

yes, i see it now... the future holds....marissa77, NP

missrisa77 · Jul 8, 2008

yes, i see it now... the future holds....marissa77, NP

NP? Yeah right. I don't think so. :chuckle I'm thinking clinical instructor. That would be fun.

Cursed Irishman · Jul 8, 2008

NP? Yeah right. I don't think so. :chuckle I'm thinking clinical instructor. That would be fun.

why stop there? sure ruining students' lives as you crush their hopes and dreams in clinicals would be a blast, one that you could look back on for decades; but being advanced practice would open new doors, to crush more people's souls :smokin:

missrisa77 · Jul 8, 2008

why stop there? sure ruining students' lives as you crush their hopes and dreams in clinicals would be a blast, one that you could look back on for decades; but being advanced practice would open new doors, to crush more people's souls

LOL :chuckle Interesting thought! NP is just not for me, I don't want to be a doc. I rather like doing bedside care and interacting with patients one-on-one on their road to recovery.