Nonfiction Navigators discussion

In hospitals all across the country, doctors are regarded as the heroes of the wounded and ill; they perform life-saving operations, provide healing medical treatments, and receive the highest salaries. However, most patients do not realize that the nurses who care for them in their time of vulnerability are the ones who wear the capes in hospitals. Alexandra Robbins eye-opening nonfiction novel, The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama, and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital, gives readers a glimpse of the unrecognized hard work, pain, and joy nurses endure every day they go to work.

This nonfiction novel follows the suspenseful lives of four passionate ER nurses who work hard to provide care and comfort to all their patients. Molly is an ambitious worker, determined to start her own family and find the perfect hospital to work in. Juliette struggles to fit in with the cliquey nurses in her hospital while trying to advance in her own career. Lara fights a daily battle to not let her past addiction interfere with her career and family. Sam is trying to learn the ropes of being a nurse while avoiding the persistent rumors about her being spread around the hospital. Throughout the course of a year, these strong women tackle their personal battles while facing the challenges that come with nursing: bullying within the hospital, substance abuse, sexual harassment, and the physical, emotional, and mental torment that only comes from working in a workplace filled with illness and death.

Robbins gives nurses all over the country a voice with this one novel. She brings to light many issues found within hospitals and provides shocking statistics and facts to prove the relevance of these problems. She brings these issues to life by showing the individual effects they have on the four nurses. I developed a newfound respect for nurses everywhere and was enlightened on the many secrets and behind-the-scene actions that take place within hospitals that many are unaware of. This book not only provides insight into the secret lives of nurses, but also brings attention to the beauty of nursing and the joy it provides. Another focus of the book is the fulfillment it brings to nurses and how much joy they receive at having a career that allows them to connect with and help others. As a future nursing major, I found this aspect extremely relieving. After reading about the endless challenges that come with nursing, I have never been more excited to pursue my future career. This novel gives readers the hope in knowing that there are those that still love and are passionate about their career, and comforts patients in knowing that someone will care for them in their time of vulnerability.