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The Shift
The Shift: One Nurse, Twelve Hours, Four Patients' Lives | Theresa Brown
22 posts | 28 read | 66 to read
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 hospitals 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 Browns 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 shifts 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 patients most ardent advocate in a medical system marked by heartbreaking dysfunction as well as miraculous success.
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MallenNC
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I love when a book gives me a glimpse into another type of life. This is one workday in the life of an oncology nurse. You meet the patients she‘s got that day and get a brief look into a nurse‘s hard work. She never gets to eat!

I listened to the audiobook which is in the Audible Plus library. It counts for the nurses/doctor prompt on #Nonfiction2021

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NamasteReading
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This is such a compelling and touching quick read. I really enjoyed how honest and telling the author is about her life as nurse. After spending time in the ICU waiting room, this gave me better insight into the nurses world. A better understanding. I enjoyed every minute, from the patients to the nurses.

Good choice!! @Crazeedi

Crazeedi Glad you enjoyed!! 6y
CouronneDhiver I liked it a lot too! 👍🏽 6y
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Crazeedi
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5🌟if you want to read about a day in the life of an RN doing critical care on a heme/oncology floor at a major teaching hospital, this book is for you. Well written, just a snapshot of the brave nurses who do the hard work

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Crazeedi
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Started last eve, I really am enjoying so far. Especially since it is set at a hospital in Pittsburgh, close to where I live.

alisiakae This sounds good! Does it take place within the UPMC system? When I went to Pitt, I worked at Western Psych. 6y
Crazeedi @4thhouseontheleft I think it may be Presbyterian, its hemo/onco floor, transplant, leukemia etc 6y
Crazeedi @4thhouseontheleft she doesnt name the hospital 6y
Eggs I liked this one too 6y
Crazeedi @Eggs 👍😊❣ 6y
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Jennick2004
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Loved this book so much! What an interesting look into what is all involved in one shift of a nurse. It was great to hear it all from her perspective 💜

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Jennick2004
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Next up...super excited for this one!!!!

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Sschweic
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Relaxing, drinking coffee, eating a true New York bagel with schmear, reading my new book and taking in all the New York City madness after this New Years adventure!! Happy 2019 everyone!

JennyM Enjoy - I liked this book 📚 6y
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Eggs
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An honest look at hospital care through the eyes of an oncology RN: One 12-hour shift, 4 patients' lives. Author also has a PhD in English and professed at Tufts University before becoming a nurse. Quite engaging read.

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ReadingSusan
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Wow this book was amazing. Fast paced and totally fascinating. It was a great glimpse into the work life of a nurse.

cherinium That looks interesting ! 6y
CouronneDhiver I liked this one too 6y
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MrBook
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#TBRtemptation post 3! This is a very specific memoir: it's one oncology nurse's life, on one specific shift. In a calm voice, and relates her not so calm day. She also provides dashes of poetry, philosophy, and recommended books and authors. This book provides a layperson with the perspective of a medical caregiver. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

Johanna414 I just had a senior who wants to go into nursing check this out from my library! 7y
CouronneDhiver This was a good one 👍🏽 7y
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JennyM
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You are never 'just a nurse'. 👆

CouronneDhiver Such a good one! 7y
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Listener15
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This was an eye opener of a book. While I knew nurses were busy and overworked and overlooked, this really shows how important and under appreciated nurses are. I have spent a week in a hospital, and this book gave me a different look on that stay. This book is at times funny, sad, frustrating, and hopeful. Tavia Gilbert did a wonderful job narrating this book. I very much enjoyed this book.

BarbaraTheBibliophage I listened to this not long ago and really liked it! You might also like my current read/listen 7y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Reviewing the audiobook version. I love listening to memoirs, since it feels like I'm having a long, albeit one-sided, conversation with a new friend. This is a peek into one oncology nurse's life, via one particular shift. Brown does a terrific job of letting the reader insider her head. The Shift gives the lay person a valuable perspective of a medical caregivers' moment-by-moment balancing act. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Full review at www.TheBibliophage.com

Libby1 Cute shoes. 🙂 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Libby1 Thanks - I'm a massage therapist, so I co-opted some of my work stuff for the photo. I love those shoes too! 7y
CouronneDhiver Sounds like my kind of book... Thanks for sharing! 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @CouronneDhiver You're welcome. Check out the full review for more thoughts. But overall I quite liked it! 7y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Starting a new audio today. Didn't mean to be reading two medical books at the same time. I might have to pick up something light if it becomes too much heartache.

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Ashlaroe
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next adventure 😊

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flyfarther79
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Kinda having a hard time reading sections of this book because it reminds me of every time my dad ended up in the hospital before & after he got diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. It also makes me extra thankful for the ICU nurse who took the time to tell me upfront that my dad was not going to make it. I think her doing that helped me be able to process & deal (well, the best you can in that situation) with him dying the next day.

Merethebookgal I'm so sorry for your loss 😢 8y
flyfarther79 Thanks @merethebookgal. It's been 11 years but sometimes feels like yesterday...especially when reading books like this one 8y
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AlgonquinBooks
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This wonderful day-in-the-life memoir by Theresa Brown RN is an e-book special today for just $1.99. If you haven't already read this "engrossing human drama," as The Wall Street Journal called it, now is the time! It's like watching a great episode of ER, only better (except that there's no George Clooney in the book. Sigh.)

KrisConstantReader Thanks, just got the iBook! 8y
Reviewsbylola This is on my TBR list! 8y
BethFishReads I just rediscovered this on my bookshelves. Definitely want to read 8y
[DELETED] 2232195534 Honestly, nurses rock! And I don't just say that because my daughter is one. Many have a true calling and they work so hard. How many of us work 12-hours+ at a shift? I love nurses!💕 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I love this kind of book. And now I have another for my #TBRTuesday! Thank you. 8y
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Nking5025
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A perfect explanation of our health care system! Sad but very true.

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Nking5025
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Medical nonfiction is one of my favorites! I'm only on the prologue, but I have a feeling this will be fantastic!