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Lives in the Balance: Nurses' Stories from the ICU
A collection that provides a compelling and insightful look into the world of ICU nurses.
This is a compelling collection of stories by twenty-five nurses working in the ICU, a fast-paced, highly technological environment where patients’ lives are at stake. From cardiac, medical, surgical, and trauma units, these nurses share their experiences of caring for critically ill patients after major surgery, illnesses, accidents, traumas, and even multiple-organ failure. These skilled professionals impart their knowledge and insights, along with accounts of the many challenges, stresses, joys, and dilemmas they face in the ICU. The intense emotional and psychological issues that patients, families — and the nurses, themselves — undergo are also explored. This fascinating collection allows us to peer over the shoulders of nurses while they provide life-saving care to patients.
This is a compelling collection of stories by twenty-five nurses working in the ICU, a fast-paced, highly technological environment where patients’ lives are at stake. From cardiac, medical, surgical, and trauma units, these nurses share their experiences of caring for critically ill patients after major surgery, illnesses, accidents, traumas, and even multiple-organ failure. These skilled professionals impart their knowledge and insights, along with accounts of the many challenges, stresses, joys, and dilemmas they face in the ICU. The intense emotional and psychological issues that patients, families — and the nurses, themselves — undergo are also explored. This fascinating collection allows us to peer over the shoulders of nurses while they provide life-saving care to patients.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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695 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 6, 2011
I'm a nurse and read this on Kindle as a freebie. The nursing stories are real, to the point and some I could relate with deeply. I'm not sure it is for everyone but as a nurse I'm always interested in what others think and feel in the profession. I have to say sometimes I cried, and often was amazed to see someone felt the same way I have. Insecure in ability, sometimes guilt over missing something that I should have seen, and always impacted by the patients and their families. Sometimes even more than anything I may have done for them.
January 19, 2011
Admittedly, I decided to read this book when I saw that it was offered for free on the Kindle. I was nursing a sleepy baby and wanted something new to read while she dozed off...
Although this book was clearly not penned by professional authors, it is still quite good. I enjoyed it, and I appreciated the glimpse into the lives of nurses in the ICU. It was far less gory than I expected, and instead focused almost exclusively on the emotional and relational aspects of the job. I'm really glad that I gave it a try.
Although this book was clearly not penned by professional authors, it is still quite good. I enjoyed it, and I appreciated the glimpse into the lives of nurses in the ICU. It was far less gory than I expected, and instead focused almost exclusively on the emotional and relational aspects of the job. I'm really glad that I gave it a try.
February 11, 2011
A Kindle freebie, and although it was interesting, I felt a bit cheated because the stories didn't always have endings. This may be a factor of the nature of the work of ICU nurses, but as a reader, I want to know what happened to the patient and their family. The best essays were the ones where I found that out.
January 25, 2011
I rarely give up on books. This was even a free Kindle book, and I still quit reading it about halfway through. It read like a bunch of high school essays on "What I learned as an ICU nurse." Poor writing/editing made it insanely dull.
May 6, 2022
Nice read
Tales of the ICU, told by nurses who work there. As a nurse, this was a nice read, as I could relate to the experiences.
Tales of the ICU, told by nurses who work there. As a nurse, this was a nice read, as I could relate to the experiences.
April 14, 2011
I'm a senior nursing student and at this point in my life i'm at a fork in the road or actually in the middle of many different roads diverging in front of me. I have no idea where I want to work; when people ask me where I want to work i always reply, "Wherever i'm hired. The job market for new nursing grads is not too great now so beggars can't be choosers. Experience is experience." I know that once i do have some years of experience behind me I can choose to do a speciality that I am passionate about and will spend much of my life perfecting and learning. That's why I've decided to read books about every speciality and gain a general understanding of what each nurse does in a typical day.
This book had my heart racing and my head spinning at the craziness of the ICU. In a moment, the patient could be fine - vitals stable, and resting comfortably, yet in the next moment the patient's heart can stop beating or their lungs could stop perfusing. The ICU nurse is the first one to react, and the first one to panic. The ICU team is called and together they work to save the patient's life.
I would love ICU experience at least once in my life - definitely not at first though.
Something that struck me about these stories was how intimate some of the nurse-patient connections were. I used to be somewhat repelled by working in the ICU because I thought it was so impersonal and that it was all about managing the many different IV's, chest tube, PICC lines, ventilators, etc. I want that personal connection to the patient which is why I prefer bedside nursing, but after reading this book, my perspective is very different. These nurses shared stories that they will keep in their hearts their whole lives. The patients that they have touched will never forget them and these nurses made the difference in not only helping to save their lives, but also making a lasting impact through their emotional support.
This book had my heart racing and my head spinning at the craziness of the ICU. In a moment, the patient could be fine - vitals stable, and resting comfortably, yet in the next moment the patient's heart can stop beating or their lungs could stop perfusing. The ICU nurse is the first one to react, and the first one to panic. The ICU team is called and together they work to save the patient's life.
I would love ICU experience at least once in my life - definitely not at first though.
Something that struck me about these stories was how intimate some of the nurse-patient connections were. I used to be somewhat repelled by working in the ICU because I thought it was so impersonal and that it was all about managing the many different IV's, chest tube, PICC lines, ventilators, etc. I want that personal connection to the patient which is why I prefer bedside nursing, but after reading this book, my perspective is very different. These nurses shared stories that they will keep in their hearts their whole lives. The patients that they have touched will never forget them and these nurses made the difference in not only helping to save their lives, but also making a lasting impact through their emotional support.
October 26, 2009
A collection of stories from ICU nurses, many of them Canadian, giving little vignettes that highlight the struggles and blessings of being a nurse. They are all heroes to me. Recommended for anyone interested in nursing!
February 1, 2011
Interesting stories about what happens real life to ICU nurses. 4 or 5 page stories from a number of different individuals. It was free on Kindle, otherwise, I never would have picked it up to read. :)
November 5, 2011
True stories of what goes on in the ICU. A graphic look at what these nurses deal with. Fitting title because what goes on is truly Lives in the Balance.
January 17, 2014
This is a collection of stories/essays from nurses who have or continue to work in the ICU. Very enlightening!! These stories gave me a whole new perspective on nurses and their profession.
May 23, 2011
A bunch of short stories...most were a good read.
September 20, 2011
Ok read, not outstanding.
November 18, 2011
I loved this book. Most of the stories were so touching, it really got me interested in the ICU.
January 30, 2012
interesting views from nurses' POV. I don't ever want to have to be in ICU!
September 10, 2016
This was a free Kindle read. It was interesting
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews