Say goodbye to the cold weather, and say hello to summer! With the warm weather, you know it’s time for more sunny days, family time, and excursions to your favorite beach. But, when you need to relax and unwind, you may want to do that with a great and meaningful book.

We have gathered a list of our favorite books to read about nursing, just for you! Here are some books that we believe will help inspire you and improve your nursing career.

Notes on Nursing:

The incredible work called Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and What It Is Not was written by Florence Nightingale herself, over 150 years ago. It may seem a little bit outdated, but you might be surprised. Nightingale was way ahead of her time. Her thoughts throughout the book are so advanced that nurses today can even benefit from them. Her words will help you understand why there are certain practices in place today. So, you might gain a new appreciation for the work that you do.

Final Gifts:

Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying is written by two hospice nurses named Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley, who share their experiences with their patients in end-of-life care. These patients touch the hearts of these nurses by communicating what they require, disclosing how their final thoughts, and revealing their final memories. With this heartwarming memoir, you will discover the gifts that these patients leave behind for the living: love, spirituality and wisdom.

Nursing Against the Odds:

Nursing Against the Odds: How Health Care Cost Cutting, Media Stereotypes, and Medical Hubris Undermine Nurses and Patient Care is written by Suzanne Gordon. Critics have actually praised this book as brilliant, and a long-pending evaluation of nursing during this present crisis in healthcare. This book will help you understand what exactly has gone in the nursing profession, and what should be done to revive it. If you also think that there should be a change in the profession, you might want to look into this book.

Critical Care:

Theresa Brown, who is also a regular contributor to the “Well Blog” on the New York Time website, wrote the book, Critical Care: A New Nurse Faces Death, Life, and Everything in Between. Brown documents all of her memories in her nursing career that made her into the nurse that she is today. After finishing the book, she mentioned that she found it as a huge relief. Brown hopes that other nurses will find themselves in it, no matter where they have practiced or how long they have served. She believes that her experiences are also what other nurses have see while in the field.

The Hospital at the End of the World:

In this book, Joe Niemczura, a nurse and facility member in Hawaii, writes about his experience with his students in Hawaii. He also discusses his experience while working in Nepal during his summer break. This book could be a great read for nurses who are interested in volunteering in different countries.

Bed Number Ten:

This book written by Sue Baier and Mary Zimmeth Schomaker told from the point of view of a patient. , In this touching story, a completely paralyzed patient who is diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome will take you through their physical and psychological pain while being bedridden for 11 months.  This book will remind you of one important thing: Primarily, patients are human beings  with feelings, needs, and spirits.

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down:

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures written by Anne Fadiman is a must-read for nurses, and really any healthcare worker. Her book will help you open your eyes to cultural competency and the need for compassion for nurses from all backgrounds. This author has written out all the lessons she learned and incorporated the need to understand patients’ views and cultures, no matter their background.

Have a favorite that’s not on our list? Be sure to mention in the comments for your fellow nurses and INA members. Happy reading!