Women's History Month-Reading Recommendation

The Shift: One Nurse, Twelve Hours, Four Patients’ Lives. Theresa Brown, RN, author. 2015. 616.028 B881s

Brown, a former English professor and a current contributor to the New York Times, is drawn to the nursing profession after the birth of her twins, and she uses her command of the English language to tell five compelling stories, her own and those of her four oncology patients. Framing the book within the confines of her shift, Brown articulates each facet of her work day without being tedious. Whether it involves contacting housekeeping for a new shower curtain in a patient’s room or talking with a surgeon about a patient’s treatment, she articulates the complexities nurses face in an engaging way. She interlaces her own self-doubts and frustrations with details about each patient’s care, and readers come away with a sense that they know Candace, Dorothy, Sheila, and Mr. Hampton as if they had spent time with each of them in person. This well-written book humanizes an already sympathetic profession, and it needs to be shared with health-care professionals.

If you are interested in reading more books like The Shift here are other recommendations.

Healing Hearts: A Memoir of a Female Heart Surgeon by Kathy Magliato, MD; 617.412 M195h. You can check out our blog post on Healing Hearts to find out what we think about the book. 

Even though his book isn’t related to women or women’s history, Dr. Damon Tweedy tells a compelling story about what it is like to be an African-American doctor in Black Man in a White Coat: A Doctor’s Reflection on Race and Medicine; 610.92 T971b. 

Please ask one of the librarians if you need help locating any of the featured books or if you want any other recommendations.We will be glad to help you!