Stories from the Tenth-Floor Clinic

Stories From the Tenth-Floor Clinic: A Nurse Practitioner Remembers by Marianna Crane is non-fiction collection of anecdotal stories from her time working as a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner in Chicago. I had the privilege of obtaining an advance readers copy from NetGalley, She Writes Press and Caitlin Hamilton Marketing before this book is published on November 6, 2018. Marianna was one of the first nurse practitioners in the 1980’s to specialize in gerontology and she was given the opportunity to run a Senior Clinic within a senior housing building, in a poorer part of Chicago. The stories track along, detailing various experiences with the residents of the building who become her patients. At first only wanting to tend to their medical needs, Marianna softens and is surprised the effect her patients have on her when she finds herself deeper into their social lives than she ever wanted to be.

The book is a case study on how nursing is so much more than caring for a patient’s medical needs. Nurses care for the whole patient including all of their medical, physical, mental, emotional and social needs. Being a nurse myself, I really enjoyed reading this book and getting to know glimpses of the patients she saw in the clinic. This was a quick and easy read and really reminded me that we have such an impact on our patients’ lives long after we stop caring for them. I would recommend this book to any nurse or human-being who enjoys reading about human relationships and the bonds we form with one another. Be sure to get a copy of Stories From the Tenth-Floor Clinic: A Nurse Practitioner Remembers once it’s released on November 6th!

The author provided insight into the many hats that those that work in the health care industry and treat older patients have to perform. While reading this, I was struck with empathy for this woman who goes out of her way to assist her patients in all aspects of their lives while those that should be doing the heavy work (children or other family members), watch from the sidelines. It is a growing epidemic in our Country and is going to get worse. I feel that we as a nation have stopped caring for our elderly and need to go back to the days of looking out for them more. I was heartbroken reading about some of the author's patients and thankful that they had her to care for them. This is a great book that raises awareness to a bigger issue, along with great stories of the author's time in healthcare.

Thank you to NetGalley, She Writes Press and Marianna Cole for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.

Stories from the Tenth-Floor Clinic is a wonderful representation of the realities of nursing. The author tells stories from her time running a clinic for seniors. She was one of the first gerontological nurse practitioners in the 1980s. A pioneer in the field!

I liked that the book shows the realities of nursing: the good, bad and mundane. The more accurate representations in the media, the better. Certainly no silly stereotypes here. The author told her experiences with authenticity, dignity and respect for her elderly clients.

While the realities of aging can be unpleasant at times, that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve kindness and human decency. A great addition to the literature and history about the nursing profession.

Wonderful and thoughtul book on caring for the elderly. What the author has provided is immeasureable. Wonderful testament to her caring ways and committment to help others. Many blessings to the author. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Although I received the book in this manner, it did not affect my opinion of this book nor my review.