Life Support

Nurses contribute greatly to the medical and emotional well-being of their patients but are often undervalued in the contemporary health care system, argues journalist Gordon (Prisoners of Men's Dreams) in this enlightening, involving, in-depth study. She interweaves the history and philosophy of nursing with on-the-job observations of three nurses at Boston's Beth Israel Hospital: Ellen Kitchen, a geriatric-home-care practitioner; Jeannie Chaisson, a clinical specialist, charged with giving support to bedside nurses; and Nancy Rumplick, an oncology nurse. Profiling a variety of cases the three worked on, Gordon lets the nurses speak for themselves, effectively illustrating their commitment to their profession and involving readers in real-life dramas, which often turn out to be ironic. Gordon describes Rumplick's ability to ease the fears of chemotherapy patients even when nausea is complicated by spousal abuse; Kitchen's dedication to her homebound clients, who may need as much help with housecleaning as with taking medication; and Chaisson's ""situational teaching,"" on topics from swallowing (for stroke patients) to helping a prostate patient insert a catheter. The author sees the current trend toward managed care as a push for profits that will take precedence over patients and threaten the existence of quality nursing care. (Mar.)