Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul: Stories to Celebrate, Honor and Inspire the Nursing Profession

by Jack Canfield

"These stories cannot help but touch the hearts and souls of all who read it, nurses or not. The authors have done nursing a wonderful service by bringing to light the touching, funny, heartfelt anecdotes shared by those at the bedside."

-Sally Russell, M.N., R.N. , Educational Director Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses

This collection of true stories champions the daily contributions, commitments and sacrifices of nurses and portrays the compassion, intellect and wit necessary to meet the challenging demands of the profession.

Stories from student nurses recall why they entered the profession; stories from seasoned nurses reveal why they stay, and some stories reflect on the "good old days." Most important, as every fan of the series knows, each story shares hope for the future.

Regardless of age or area of practice, health-care workers the world over will find their own hearts and souls in these stories as they discover the universality of what they do-and the power of their skillful hands and devoted hearts.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nursing, Medical, Inspirational, Health, Short Stories, Childrens

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2001

About the author

Jack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.

Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.

Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.

In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.

Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.

Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.

Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.

Reviews

[Brigette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book from a book sale and it immediately caught my attention for (FACT 1: I am a NURSE) and (FACT 2: I didn't know such Chicken Soup book exists). Anyway I wasn't able to read it immediately as I was about to meet some of my friends for some drinks. I was able to read the book probably about 2 weeks since it was purchased=)

Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul is a very interesting book to be read as it contains stories of nurses; the adventures, challenges, the joys and sorrows of such a noble profession. Some of the nurses who will read this book may recognize their own experience in some of the stories written as I have felt that.

This book brought smiles and tears as well on my face as it reminded me the difference we bring to our patients' lives, the endless compassion we give them, the complexity and the never ending demands of the profession.

Such an inspiring book should not only be read by nurses but other people so they may be enlightened by the inspiring real life stories of commitment and caring.

[Deidre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chicken Soup for the Soul books are pretty self-explanatory, so I won't go much into a review. The stories are all revolving around nurses and the nursing profession, whether they're written by nurses or by people who love them.

Only thing that got me was the amount of religious focus that the collection tended to have. Granted, I may just be in the minority when it comes to nurses and secularism, but I found many stories hard to relate to for that focus. Not that the stories were awful as a result, but I wouldn't pick up a second installment if half of the stories read like inspirational Christian tales from a church get together.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad I read this before becoming a nurse...way too jaded now to enjoy it at all.

[Mia Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspiring book for us Nurses. It's a good read. Even if you're not a nurse, pick up a copy of this book. Highly recommended.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hearty warming collection of stories that I treasure so much.extraordinary nurses.great models. Even if I only have a couple of years to practice

[Katherine Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. While some of these stories made me tear up and others had me laughing, I thought this book was really sweet. It went in debt on how life is like for a nurse and how being a nurse is so much more than just being someone who cleans a bedpan or changes a bed. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in nursing as a career and everyone in general. This book makes the reader have a different perspective on how it's like for a nurse to everything from caring for patients physically and caring for them mentally. If you are looking for a book that gives perspective and goes into detail about what it is really like to be a nurse, then I would definitely give this book a try.

[Lauren Bogoevski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this book for about two years, just a chapter here and there. I highly recommend nurses to read this. These stories are reminders of why I chose this profession. I am beyond proud to be a nurse.

[Andrea Hoogwerf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tender stories that remind a nurse how important her job is

I stopped floor nursing a long time ago but read this book while traveling. The tender stories remind me how important we nurses are to our patients.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of stories about (and some by) nurses. Some are humorous, some are sad, some are inspiring. I believe this came from a friend (MH) in a box of books. I plan to pass it on to another friend who has nurses in her family.

[M M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt all the emotions with this book. Being a nursing student reading this really gives me motivation to keep going. You feel like you’re experiencing their own raw emotion too. Real life stories and experiences of our healthcare heroes really will put things into perspective.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My clinical instructor gave me this books as I finished my third semester clinical in nursing school. I laughed and cried reading these stories and will hold them close as I continue my nursing journey.

[Rick Fifield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 101 stories written by medical professionals about various patients, families and heart warming stories that uplift and enlighten readers. I enjoyed this book and the insights that it provided about the medical professionals in the book.

[Selina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confirmation

This book confirmed for me why I'm in school to be a nurse. I laughed and cried throughout this book.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed most stories in this book but it started to feel like I was in church, it was disappointing.

[Reeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great chicken soup book.

[Amber Brackin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and uplifting. Took me almost 6 years to finish it but I think God knew I’d need something like this at this point in my life... I mean 2020, am I right?!

[BARBARA A MITTLESTEAD]

Places the nursing profession at the level it should be at. Angel! Everyone should read these short stories about the hard rewarding work done by nurses.

[Jenna the nurse · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s sweet. I can see how this book could be inspirational but it’s a drier read than I normally enjoy.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lovely, tear jerky collection of stories

[Alliyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Chicken Soup books! (Even though I've only read two of them.) I love how they have a whole bunch of different stories, from different perspectives all together, so you cane truly see that anything is possible in the world!
I think it was a really smart idea to do this, so props to you, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen! Although, I don't get why you called it "Chicken Soup"?

Anyway, with the actual book;
I love how they did stories from a nurses' souls and how some of them were pretty funny, like "Take A Number Please" by Naomi Follis and "Now We're Talkin'" by Denise Casaubon!
But, some were also real and serious and sometimes sad, to the point of your eyes tearing up!
Some, were mind-blowing, because of the miracles that you're reading of and fascinating, too.

But, I'm not giving this book 4 stars, because at some of the stories I kind of skimmed it, and I get that that kind of tends to happen when you're reading Non-Fiction books, but whatever!

Overall, it was a really good book, love the stories in it, although my favorite story would have to be "The Nurse's Best Medicine" by Don Haines.

Also, props to the illustrators, the images are really funny and brought some light to the book!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm graduating from nursing school in a few short months, so my husband bought this as a Christmas gift for me. He had spoken to a few nurses who highly recommended it, describing it as "touching," "funny," and "wonderful." Between that and the whole "Chicken Soup" thing, I expected it to be more of a feel good experience. Not so much. The stories are fantastic, as the truth usually is, but I sobbed way more than I smiled. I don't regret reading it, and I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy it a lot more than I did. I probably won't read it again, though.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished the last few stories in this while laid up in bed with an injured back and a headcold. I really enjoyed it -- so many touching stories, some made me laugh, some cry, all of them strengtened my resolve to be successful in nursing school. An aspiring nurse simply can't read this without being inspiried. It's also heartwarming to know that for every story told here, there are so many more just like them that go untold. Little nurses doing great things.

[Jyotirmayi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me on a fortnights journey.... i laughed, wept, cried out in joy with it as it told me one beautiful heart rendering story after another. I lived with the patients, felt their pain, fear, hope and joy and wiped my tears when the nurses cried.....some thing i could identify with having seen unbearable pain and loss myself i found a long lost friend in its pages. Will always cherish this copy.....

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love Chicken Soup books! Whether it's for a rainy day, a travel read or just to kill time while waiting in line at the bank; this ebook is my ultimate favorite. Us nurses need to feel appreciated at times and there are tough times where we really want to quit but stories such as these motivate us to keep on thriving to this rewarding profession. This is a good gift idea for nurse's appreciation week! I'll surely buy 'second dose'.

[Jackie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, as well as the second book from Chicken Soup for Nurse's has just warmed my heart. Being a nurse and taking care of people is very important to me. I got these two books and brought them to work for our office so that my fellow nurses could read them on their breaks. They've been a huge hit. Thank you Chicken Soup for these beautiful books.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is not normally i book i would choose to read - i have to read it and write a paper on it for school. i do have to say that i am pleasantly surprised. there are definitely the sugary sweet stories, but there are also a fair number of stories with substance as well.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Chicken Soup books can all start sounding the same- but this one specifically helps us remember why we do what we do. In so many of the stories, I can remember something similar that I have seen happen. Little reminders that help make the other 11 1/2 hours of the shift bearable!

[Jennifer Rook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so inspirational even more than the mother daughter book. At least it was for me, being a nurse. Highly recommend this book! Full of stories that will touch your life, some will make you smile & others will make you laugh & some will make you cry. Read this!

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book! I read it through tears and it showed me how much of an amazing person one must be to become a great nurse. They are simply angels in white coats. Highly recommend! The stories are very touching!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful stories, some make you cry, some will make you smile. Having been a nurse's aide for many years this was great reading and so endearing to the heart. Everyone should read this before they judge their nurse's care!