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This work argues that Canada is in dire need of nurses, urging readers to either pursue or recruit nursing students. To educate the public about the nursing profession, Boucher, a nursing veteran of fifty years, with thirty-six of these as an intensive care nurse, defines the training, specialties, shifts, facilities, functions, and other options available to Canadian nurses who can train at several levels.
The work is descriptive, concise, clear, and supportive of the people who are often the main caretakers of patients. Decisions and actions that directly impact patients' health and lives must frequently be made and carried out by overworked professional caretakers, guided by experience, common sense, and emotional balance to achieve the best outcomes for the patients. One example is the timing of the submission of a test to ensure that the results reflect the most accurate information. An equally important topic, especially relating to the amount and demands of their work, is self-care for nurses.
The subject is a heartfelt cry from a person deeply committed to her career. Boucher cites statistics that demonstrate that the nurse-to-patient ratio can be high, which is especially challenging when dealing with critical illness. The reader is passionately challenged to get involved. The chapters conclude with recruitment demands, and, to prevent complacency, they also prompt the reader to spread the word about recruitment and offer suggestions on how to recruit, get up, and get involved. The message is clear: the situation involves everyone in Canada, and everyone must take responsibility to address the crisis. This concise, informative, practical handbook deserves widespread attention.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review