If I were asked to describe ‘summer,’ it would go something like this. Sandy beaches and skimpy bikinis… afternoon picnics and pleasant bike rides…tantalizing barbecues and gooey smores…creamy ice cream and ice-cold lemonade… You feeling me?? I’m sure you are. I’m also pretty sure you’re feeling that stethoscope around your neck. *big, fat, audible sigh* Despite the fact that medicine never goes on vacation, keep in mind that summer is not merely a season, but a mindset as well. Take some time this summer to do ‘summer.’ Yes, you’ve got to get up and scrub in every day, but do something for you, too. A fabulous way to relax is with a great book! Read on for a full list of this summer’s must reads for nurses.
Notes on Nursing by Florence Nightingale
You can’t be serious? Uh, I am! Despite the fact that this book was penned way back when in 1859, by the Lady with the Lamp herself, this book is super relevant to anyone who currently enjoys a career in nursing or who may be pursuing one. It’s over 150 years later and yet you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how forward thinking Nightingale was. It’s a great read and deserves a place of honor at the top of every nurse’s must-read list.
Bed Number Ten by Sue Baier and Mary Zimmeth Schomaker
This incredibly moving book may read like a novel but is 100% factual. It chronicles the firsthand experience of a woman with Guillain-Barre syndrome who becomes completely paralyzed. You’ll read about the physical and psychological pain she experiences throughout her extended 11 month stay at the hospital; most importantly, though, you’ll be reminded that all patients, whether they’re capable of expressing themselves or not, are first and foremost human beings with personal feelings, needs, and opinions. For that lesson alone, this book makes the cut.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
No book list would be complete without the story of Henrietta Lacks and her ‘stolen’ cells. Back in the 1950’s, Henrietta Lacks underwent a medical procedure, and without her consent had her cells taken. Dubbed HeLa, these cells were subject to over 60,000 scientific studies, and allowed for such advances as the polio vaccine. While this book tells the story of a lone patient practically immortalized by her cells, the effects are far reaching and make for a fascinating and relevant read.
The Nurse’s Social Media Advantage by Robert Fraser
Social media is here to stay and you may as well use it to your advantage. Fraser cover the basics of social media, including Facebook, Twitter etc. He explains how to use social media without violating HIPPA regulations or the nursing professional’s code of conduct, how patients are using social media to access health information, as well as how nurses can share nursing info via social media. If you’re a 21st century nurse, this guide is a must-read.
Inspired Nurse by Rich Bluni
This is the type of book you want to keep on your shelf AT ALL TIMES. Rich, an RN, knows that a career in nursing is like riding a see-saw. There are ups and there are downs. There are highs and there are lows. There are wonderful days, in which you know with certainty that you changed a life forever. And there are stressful days. On those days you wonder if you made the right choice in choosing a career in nursing, and you’re thinking that maybe it’s time to throw in the towel. Burnout is normal. Stress is normal. And this book was written to remind nurses why they became nurses to begin with; to help them reignite their passion and inspire them to overcome the burnout and keep doing what they do best.
There you have it- five fantastic reads and a whole summer to get through them. Happy reading!
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