Great gift books for the nurse
1. Bedlam Among the Bedpans | Humor in Nursing – Amy Y. YoungEver had a bad day or needed a good ‘nursing humor’ laugh (you know – the kind of humor only a nurse could appreciate)? How about just bonding over the commonalities between nurses, or the shared humor amongst specific areas of nursing (ED, OR, ICU, Med-surg, etc)? This book is for you. What’s also great is the format of the book. It comes in short stories, as well as a detailed index that helps if you’re pressed for time, or are looking for something specific to laugh about.
2. Who Moved My Cheese? – Spencer Johnson, M.D.
OK. OK. This is NOT about mice. Well, maybe indirectly. This book is about change. Change? What’s that? Nurses have no idea what change is right? I mean we still wear the white cap and skirt right? We still have all of our IV medications dripping out of a glass bottle right? We still have to count drops when infusing IV medication right? *UH-hum* (clearing my throat) We Nurses are ALL about change! This book discusses the differences in how one deals with change. I must tell you, once you read this you can and will envision someone you work with or know to be one of the 4 characters in this book. I promise you. After you read this book, you will forever be changed on ..err.. Uhh Change. Remember – change is the only constant thing in our profession.
3. The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch
This amazing man was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This book is full of excerpts from his ‘Last Lecture’ at the university titled: “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”. If you have EVER met an obstacle on your way to a goal – ANY goal. This book is for you. This guy did not know how to give up, and even when faced with the most dire of situations, he remained poised, positive and full of energy. Take lessons from this man and how he lead his life. He sadly passed away, but left an astounding legacy that truly enriches the lives of everyone around it.
4. Always Looking Up | The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist – Michael J. Fox
Ever had a bad day? Ever think you got it bad? Ever think things are so bad that you just want to give up, give in, or heck just maybe try tomorrow? I don’t think there is anyone who doesn’t know something about this amazing actor turned activist and inspirer. This book is a brief synopsis of his journey through Parkinson’s disease and the gifts it has brought him. Yes, you read that right – the gifts it has brought him.
OK, so I must confess. I’m a huge believer in the human condition. These list of books show you that I am all about not giving up on what you want, not giving in to the hype of discontent, and honestly looking in the mirror for all your answers. As a nurse we see some of the most wonderful and most devastating things life can offer, we are a truly blessed bunch of professionals. My hope is that maybe one of these books can help you navigate through that rip-roaring rollercoaster of life in and out of work.
Here are some other ‘good stuff’ books I highly recommend if you have the time or the inclination:
A complaint free world – Will Bowen : learn how to complaint free. Yes, it is possible.
What it takes to be #1 – Vince Lombardi, Jr. : learn from the best, on how to be the best.
Way of the peaceful warrior – Dan Millman : what really is happiness? Are you sure about your answer?
Anything written by Mitch Albom: All his books say something about our priorities in life. Be sure yours isn’t work.
- ‘For one more day’
- ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’
- ‘The five people you meet in heaven’
- ‘Blink’
- ‘The Tipping Point’
- ‘Outliers’
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