Tending Lives: Nurses on the Medical Front


Almost done reading this book again… I absolutely love all of Echo Heron’s books, and highly recommend them. She has a flair for vividly painting with words what it’s like to be a nurse, and makes you understand the joys, and frustrations that go hand, and hand, with nursing.


This is what Library Journal said about this book:

Heron’s earlier books, Intensive Care: The Story of a Nurse, and Condition Critical: The Story of a Nurse Continues, were personal narratives reflecting the author’s experiences as a nurse and her views on hospitals and the industry that is healthcare today. Her latest volume invites colleagues to share their stories. Some are heartbreaking, others hilarious (if you think you’ve had a bad day, read Carol P.’s story of her encounters with Delbert and Mr. X). A brief introduction to each contributor provides background about age, education, and specialty (trauma, pediatrics, etc.). Vignettes may be as short as two pages. On the other hand, in the book’s longest chapter five nurses laboring behind the scenes through the tragedy of the Oklahoma City bombing bring the confusion, sadness, and professional grit vividly to life. Unless you can handle an emotional roller coaster, savor this book one chapter at a time. Either way, it is a welcome addition to nursing or larger health collections.





Jeanne Groth, R.N., R.D.M.S.

If I had to choose the one nurse that has deeply touched my life, I’d choose Jeanne Groth, R.N., R.D.M.S.. She was the nurse in the infertility practice I went to, and it was her job to deal with all the infertility patients. Her compassion, and support, was what kept me from giving up when my previous attempts to conceive failed. Trying to get pregnant when you’re infertile is a harrowing experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and every failed attempt makes you soul weary. She could always lift my spirits with her buoyant personality, and gave me the courage I needed to try to conceive again. Thank you Jeanne for helping us conceive our beautiful son.