The Shift.

 

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In a book as eye-opening as it is riveting, practicing nurse and New York Times columnist Theresa Brown invites us to experience not just a day in the life of a nurse but all the life that happens in just one day on a hospital’s cancer ward. In the span of twelve hours, lives can be lost, life-altering medical treatment decisions made, and dreams fulfilled or irrevocably stolen. In Brown’s skilled hands--as both a dedicated nurse and an insightful chronicler of events--we are given an unprecedented view into the individual struggles as well as the larger truths about medicine in this country, and by shift’s end, we have witnessed something profound about hope and healing and humanity.  

Every day, Theresa Brown holds patients' lives in her hands. On this day there are four. There is Mr. Hampton, a patient with lymphoma to whom Brown is charged with administering a powerful drug that could cure him--or kill him; Sheila, who may have been dangerously misdiagnosed; Candace, a returning patient who arrives (perhaps advisedly) with her own disinfectant wipes, cleansing rituals, and demands; and Dorothy, who after six weeks in the hospital may finally go home. Prioritizing and ministering to their needs takes the kind of skill, sensitivity, and, yes, humor that enable a nurse to be a patient’s most ardent advocate in a medical system marked by heartbreaking dysfunction as well as miraculous success. 

 

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I've always been a massive fan of medical books. I enjoy anything medical, and I have seen many medical TV shows. Perhaps was because I was considering becoming a nurse that drew me to this book. The Shift was unlike the memoirs that I usually read. This book drew me in from the beginning, and once I finished it, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was curious what would happen during Theresa's next shift. I couldn't imagine what it must be like to work as an RN in a cancer unit. I believe it would be the one place I couldn't handle. I enjoyed reading about how an RN shift at the hospital goes, and I found myself identifying with Theresa, her patients, and all the emotions. 

I felt so many emotions while reading. There were parts that were difficult to read, but I couldn't put the book down. I'm not a nurse, but when I was in PTA school, I learned about some of the diseases/disorders, which made it easier for me to follow along with Theresa as she described a disease. I can't imagine dealing with three patients at once, which is why I've always thought of nurses as heroes. I loved how no matter how the patients behaved or treated her; she was always present and made them feel as at ease as possible. I know if it were me, I would never be able to get the patients off my mind. 

The Shift is not a book you'll easily forget. I simply couldn't. Now I'm curious about her other books. I would strongly recommend this to any medical fanatics out there.