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About the Book
Nurses on the Run~Why They Come, Why They Stay shares our stories—the stories of nurses—about birth and death, about victories and regrets, about frustrations and hope, about who we were, and who we have become.
Nurses on the Run is edited by Karen Buley, a registered nurse for thirty-three years. It is a blend of registered nurses’ voices young and old, new and veteran, men and women, American-born and foreign-born, hospital employed, community employed, and even prison employed.
Nurses on the Run includes stories which illustrate what drew us to nursing or more importantly, what keeps us in nursing. “We Must Speak Up” suggests what can be done to help alleviate the current nursing shortage—the longest of the past fifty years—so that when the situation or setting dictates, an RN will be there to care for us in our time of need.
At a childbirth conference, a speaker asked, “Who will answer the call lights?” The current nursing shortage is expected to worsen. By 2025, it’s projected that the deficit of registered nurses will be 260,000 in the U.S. alone—a magnitude more than twice as large as any nursing shortage experienced since the 1960’s.
To alleviate the nursing shortage, we need to attract, educate, and retain nurses in their profession. Nurses on the Run includes first person stories from nurses—stories to encourage others to become nurses and to inspire practicing nurses to remain in their profession. Stories like:
That photograph elicited powerful memories of an experience of awe and mystery from almost twenty years before, the kind of experience that keeps you in the profession of nursing, and reminds you of your purpose.
- “Shoebox Mysteries” - Karen M. Cooper
When I said goodbye, he smiled. I was totally aware I didn’t do anything major, but there was something about his smile. Although it was shy and faint, it was worth more than a million words. And it was more than enough.
- “The Nurse’s High” - Lucy May J. Colegado
I spent countless hours talking to his mother as she rocked her precious angel late at night or in the wee hours of the morning. For a newborn, Gabriel did amazing things. He laughed, cooed, and blew bubbles.
- “What If He’s An Angel?” - Mary Stassi
Their hypertension is out of control but they can only afford to take their medication every other day. They wonder whether it will still work, but are too embarrassed to ask their doctors about it.
- “Why I Thank Them” - Christine Contillo
10% of book proceeds will be donated to nurse educator scholarships.
Nurses on the Run was chosen a "Best Books 2010" Awards finalist in Anthologies: Non-Fiction by US Book News!
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