Nursing Against the Odds -- Who's reading it, or has read it?

HealthyRN · Dec 5, 2005

I read the book during summer break. As a nursing student, I found it to be a bit depressing. After reading it, I had to ask myself why I chose to become a nurse in the first place. However, I still think it is well-written and it brought my attention to many issues that I did not realize exist in nursing. Like others, I did not entirely agree with the author's conclusions. I think this is a very important book for nursing students to read so that they can be aware of the issues that the profession is facing. It gave me a more realistic view of nursing.

FoxyRoxy21 · Dec 5, 2005

This is the first time that I have ever heard this book, and now I can't wait

to read it.

I will post again after I read it.

schroeders_piano, RN · Dec 27, 2005

I'm currently reading this book and finding it to be very accurate on the aspects of nursing as it is today. As others have said, some parts of the book does not apply to nurses working in rural environments. I wish the nursing schools in this area would require their students to read this book in their first semester. I see a lot of nursing students graduate and have no reality to what the world of nursing is really like.

On a side note, I read where another poster said they read this book 5 years ago. I'm just wondering if they read another one of Suzanne Gordon's books on healthcare. Nursing Against the Odds was not published until April 2005.

Stitchie · Jan 1, 2006

Happy New Year!

I finished this book a while ago and I found the conclusions to be a bit of a let down. She paints a pretty bleak picture of nursing and the future of healthcare.

On the other hand, the author also made some good points -- nurses need to be respected as professionals and as individuals.

I hope that we continue to progress.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 1, 2006

Good book, but i didn't appreciate her tone in reference to "the licensed practical nurse" whatsoever.

mollysn · Jan 1, 2006

Please, someone tell me that this book picks up eventually! I'm only about to page 30-I keep falling asleep reading about how doctors are "taught" never to listen to us, how we aren't recognized by them as equals, etc. I bought this on Amazon, and was excited as all get out when it got here, but boy, is it dragging.
I've heard how amazing this book is. Previews, anyone??
Bueller? Anyone?

It doesn't really pick up LOL :chuckle I took me forever to read because I'd fall alsleep or put it down to think about what she was writing about. It is written like one long term paper LOL. She is a journalist.

I am a nursing student so I am not sure if the book was an accurate portrayal-- some of the issues hit home where I work as an aide.

I thought with some of the issues she just went on and on and on.. I was thinking ok, I get it lets move on..

I am interested in knowing what everyone else thought!

lindarn · Jan 1, 2006

I have almost finished reading, "Nursing Againt the Odds", and I could not find a more actual portrayal of nursing in todays environment, and the history beind it. She hits the nail on the head in every chapter. It does drag a bit, but she does really have a much better grip on the current situation in nursing, in health care, and hospitals than most nurses in today's workplace.

There are too many nurse who have a "la- d-i da" attitude towards their career. It seems to be someone else's job to stick up for nurses and fix the workplace envirnment. Nurses are always waiting for someone else to fight their battles. It took an outsider to put the blame where it belongs- on insurance companies, hospitals, and, yes, on the nurses who refused, then, and even now, to take the bull by the horns and take charge of their profession. Nurses have been pitiful in holding accountable, the state nursing boards, state nursing associations, and regulatory agencies who allowed health care to go to hell in a handbasket. NURSES allowed themselves to be bullied, and pushed around, and the "martyr maries", who to this day, denounce and demonize unionization, going directly to the public, to let them know what was going on, and how it affected them, and just using the political power that we have to affect change. Not professional? Then what is so professional about being overworked underpaid, bullied, and made to provide substandard care to our patients?

Nurses have allowed themselves to be de skilled, de- professionalized, eliminated, and led like lambs to the slaughter. I could vomit when I think about the nurses who just complacently said, " 'Well', its the just wave of the future", sounding like the kindergarten crowd on the playground.

If nothing else, at least she called a spade, a spade. It takes someome outside of the situation, to be able to critically look at was is going on, and speak objectively. She also recommends that nurses go to a BSN as entry into practice, as I have, for the same reaons that I have said. You have to take a step back, and look at the big picture instead of personlizing it and denouncing it. I hope to finish the book this week. I have been reading it while I have been riding the exercise bike at the gym. I get so mad when I read about some of the stories and situations, that it makes me work that much harder while I exercise.

I only hope that nurses who read this book take her suggestions to heart, and learn from the mistakes of the nurses in this book. I suggest that nurses everywhere, start to practice, "defensive employment", get their own malpractice insurance ($99 with NSO), watch their backs, and be prepared for the fight, instead of being caught blindsided by administration. Start a diary when you come home from work, take notes, while you are at work (in the bathroom, if necessary), make copies of everything that you turn in to administration, management, and regulatory agencies, even incident reports. Complain about abusive doctors, dangerous staffing, and patient situations, start a "paper trail", in the hospital and with the Board of Medicine. Write "Letters To the Editor", to you local paper. Hold rallies int the park downtown, and invite ther press. Make the effort to educate yourself about your legal rights in the workplace. Look into paralegal programs at your local communisty college. They offer Emplyment Law for the paralegal and legal nurse students, and is usually low cost. Just because you live in a right to work state, doesn't mean that you have no rights at all. And stick together, They can't fire everyone. Make the hospital look bad. Organize, to ensure your rights, if not with the state nurses association, then the NNOC- Make this your New Years Resolution. JMHO. Happy New Year!

Linda, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

papawjohn · Jan 1, 2006

Hey Linda

You go, girl. I agree with everything you said--'specially the part about Nurses allowing themselves to be marginalized and de-skilled.

Papaw John

giada23 · Jan 1, 2006

I read the book and I thought it was a very informative interesting read. It makes you kind of think outside of the box.

Stitchie · Jan 5, 2006

I started a job a couple of days ago.

It's not in a hospital -- it's care for medically fragile children. I've worked with some young nurses who have never worked in the hospitals and it shows.

This young nurse is so much a 'handmaiden' of physicians it is kind of hard to watch. Luckily, that doesn't happen too much!

MMARN, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2006

I just started reading Susan Gordon's book Nursing Against the Odds. I'm wondering how many RN's and students are reading this, or have read it. I have to say that I'm impressed that she's very much on target about many of the issues mentioned in the book.
I know that others have mentioned this book in other posts, but I searched and couldn't find a specific thread discussing this book.
I'd really like to hear what others have to say, and if there are any solution to the abysmal conditions we seem to be working in. Even the few magnet hospitals seem to be struggling to retain staff, and they are supposed to be the best of the hospitals out there.
PS -- if this post belongs in another thread please move it.
Thanks!
Kindest regards, and happy December!
Stitchie

Two questions:

1. How do I get a copy of that book?

2. What exactly are magnet hospitals? We have a couple here in Tampa (i.e. the VA Hospital) and I have no idea what that means. Thanks!

MMARN, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2006

Another thing:

Stitchie,

Have you read Echo Heron's Critical Nursing? Now that book is an eye opener.