"Want to be inspired? Read this book or give it as a gift to someone you know who is planning to start their nursing career."

Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor’s Journey of Faith and Self

Review by Tiffany at Fabulous Finds

 

Title: Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor’s Journey of Faith and Self

Author: Lois Hoitenga Roelofs 

ISBN-13: 9781935265375

Publisher: Deep River Books

Publishing Date: October 1, 2010

Paperback: 224 pages

Price: 13.99

In Caring Lessons, Lois Roelofs tells her stories about being a rebellious minister’s daughter, reluctant nurse, restless mom, perpetual student, and eventually, fun-loving teacher. She used to tell her students that if she, an ordinary suburban sandbox mom, propelled by restlessness and prayer, could end up having a career, growing in faith, and getting a PhD, they could too.

Roelofs brings the “therapeutic use of self” required in nursing to her writing. You will be amused, saddened, and inspired as you read this intimate and introspective memoir. You may even run to enroll or teach in a nursing program, and, if you’re already teaching nursing students, you may discover renewed gratitude for the privilege.



My Thoughts: This beautifully written and touching memoir details Lois’s long journey through nursing school, becoming a wife, mother and eventually a fun-loving teacher. Lois is now a Professor Emerita of Nursing at Trinity Christian College in Chicago. Getting to where she is today wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination. In Caring Lessons Lois does an amazing job detailing her one on one experiences with patients, teachers and the important people in her life. Lois never lost touch with her faith and it was her faith that help get her through the hard times. It’s not often easy to juggle a career, family and being a wife, Lois made that very clear in her book but it is possible.

Want to be inspired??? Read this book or give it as a gift to someone you know who is planning to start their nursing career. I plan to give this book to my mom to read now that I am done with it. I know she will appreciate reading Caring Lessons as she is a nurse too. I helped my mom go through nursing school, and all while raising three children on her own. I took on the role of parent while she dove head-first into her schooling. I really admire all women in the nursing field and I have a lot of appreciation for just how difficult it can be.

• Check out other great book reviews at Tell Us The Truth Reviews.
• I received a copy of this book for free to review. I was not monetarily compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and based on my experience with this book.

Book Review: Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor's Journey of Faith and Self by Lois Roelofs

Another book review for all of you to enjoy! When I saw this book, I couldn't believe the title. As a Christian nurse who also dabbled as a clinical nursing instructor, this book immediately spoke to me. Reading it only brought back flashbacks of my own clinical experiences. Probably some of the best stories to be heard can be told by nurses. The things we see and people we meet everyday all come with their own stories, often times some of the most miraculous stories you can imagine. I am so glad someone wrote a book to share not only some of those stories, but her own personal story as well.

Book details:

Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor's Journey of Faith and Self

Lois Hoitenga Roelofs

ISBN: 978-1935265375

Deep River Books 2010

List Price $13.99

About the Book

From the very beginning I could connect with Lois. Just a few short months into college I began working as a home health aide. Because I'd expressed an interest in working in pediatrics, my very first assignment was to 2 boys 1 of which was a paraplegic. Since it was my first time there, the mother of the boys walked me through some of the tasks I would need to be doing. Feeding tubes, baths, diaper changes, it was all a huge shock to my young 19 yr old self, especially with these 2 young boys. It was then that I knew pediatrics would not be for me, I was worried, but I found my niche not long after that. Lois brought this memory back to me as she struggled though one of her first rotations and  begged her parents to let her quit. Even better when she was asked to be a clinical instructor just fresh out of nursing school, it was almost like we were one in the same! I'd always wanted to be a clinical instructor and it wasn't until we moved, I was pregnant, and no hospital would hire me, that I was given the opportunity to do what I'd always wanted. This concept is a theme throughout this book.

Lois guides us through her struggles as a working mother, caring nurse, and student, showing us along the way just how faith and dedication can take you places you never thought you'd be. Her passion and strength through her journey from a student nurse to nursing professor and assistant dean is nothing less than inspiring. I love that Lois highlights the choices women are given in the healthcare field today. That no longer are nurses expected to wait hand and foot on doctors. Probably one of my favorite stories Lois told was when she tried to hide from an angry Dr. who'd come in just to yell at her for questioning him. Any nurse can share a story like this at one point or another. I am so thankful to have entered the nursing field in a generation where this is no longer tolerated (though it does still happen to some extent).

What I thought:
I absolutely loved this book and will be sharing it with all my fellow nurses. I definitely recommend this book for anyone thinking about entering the healthcare field, or those already working in healthcare. I guarantee you will find yourself laughing at some parts, crying at others, and completely relatable to Lois. If you want to be motivated and inspired, get your reading on!  

Where to buy this book:

REVIEW OF CARING LESSONS BY L. ROELOFS

REVIEW OF CARING LESSONS BY L. ROELOFS

Imagine not wanting to be a nurse, teacher, or teacher of psychiatric nursing only to find yourself doing all three—and loving it!

In Caring Lessons, Lois Roelofs tells her stories about being a rebellious minister’s daughter, reluctant nurse, restless mom, perpetual student, and eventually, fun-loving teacher. She used to tell her students that if she, an ordinary suburban sandbox mom, propelled by restlessness and prayer, could end up having a career, growing in faith, and getting a PhD, they could too. 

Roelofs brings the "therapeutic use of self" required in nursing to her writing. You will be amused, saddened, and inspired as you read this intimate and introspective memoir. You may even run to enroll or teach in a nursing program, and, if you’re already teaching nursing students, you may discover renewed gratitude for the privilege.

My Thoughts-

Caring Lessons is a wonderful and touching memoir. When I started nursing school at 16, I never fathomed how tough nursing can be and many times I wanted to quit . The author welcomed us into her life and showed us that faith and perseverance can get us through any problem. The book was well written and I could feel her emotions. Even if you do not have a medical background the book is for you and will give you an insight into the wonderful world of Nursing. I recommend this book to all nursing students because you will learn from the author's wisdom and instill them into your practice. I have been an RN for over 25 years now and I find the profession challenging but I will never give it up. I will definitely pass the book on to my colleagues and maybe they will look at Nursing differently after reading the book. 

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from Bring It On Communications for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

Caring Lessons, By Lois Roelofs

Caring Lessons, By Lois Roelofs

"Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor's Journey of Faith and Self" is a beautiful memoir"

· Author: Lois Hoitenga Roelofs
· ISBN : 978-1935265375
 ·ISBN-10: 1935265377 

· Publisher: Deep River
· Publishing Date : 2010
· Price 13.99

Lois Roelofs takes us on a journey from being a reluctant nurse , restless Mom, questioning things along the way into becoming a fun, well loved teacher. Throughout her career Lois learns and cares for patients in a mental health and medical surgical atmosphere. She takes on along with her as she learns values of not only caring for herself, but others as she struggles to find her place in life. While changing jobs to keep herself challenges as well as happy she craves to learn more and takes on personal as well as family crises arise throughout her life. 

This book seemed like a perfect read to me, not even sure why at first but the description had me intrigued. Finished within two days I was laughing, and taken back at what Lois had, and still has going on in her life. She takes you along with her as she tries to rebel against her studies. She’s reluctant, yet the more she puts herself into nursing school and goes through more experiences you can clearly see not only was she made to be a nurse, she was made to be an inspiriting teacher. 
  
Though many times Lois questioned what and why she even started, her little quirks, humor and strive for learning more kept her plowing through her life. Lois kept going over hurdles, one year down, classes done, different jobs, restlessness in her own life, personal  (chronic) pain and loss, she kept going. Not everyone can do that, and though parts of the book were sad, Lois is a wonderful inspiration in this memoir. Her amusing humor had me glued to the book. Her values of friendship, faith, family and her own need to be challenged made for an excellent read. I enjoyed reading her commitment even as a rebellious young girl , and how she grew into a stronger, more inspiring woman that took on life even as things got harder. I’ve certainly learned the appreciation and dedication it takes in caring for yourself as well as others. 

I encourage anyone who questions their faith, and life to read this book. Lois takes you on the steps, and paths she took to change what wasn't working for her. She encourages her readers to learn from life's lessons and keep at it. Instead of making things her weakness, Lois devoted herself to learn, challenge herself and make it into a new strength

Lois has written a remarkable book on her journey through struggles and most of all her success! You can pick up a copy yourself at Amazon.comor any major book seller! 

**Disclosure-I received the book Caring Lessons to read and review. No monetary compensation was received for this post. I did not have to write an honest review,  Any and all opinions are and will always be my own. **