The American Nurse

The phrase, “Because I can make a difference,” seems to be what most nurses say when asked why they continue to do the work they do. The ability to influence an individual’s life at a time when he/she needs help and support is a fundamental driver for nurses, whether they are working in a state penitentiary, neonatal intensive care unit, ambulatory oncology unit, long-term care facility, hospice house, VA hospital, or in a community health setting. The American Nurse is a beautiful coffee-table book that shares the inspirational stories of 75 nurses and complements these stories with stunning black and white photos of the nurses.This book by photographer Carolyn Jones is a result of her travels across the United States to learn more about nursing. On her journey she discovered the complexity of what it means “to be a nurse.” Carolyn shares her own story of connecting with a nurse who got her through chemotherapy as she was recovering from breast cancer. Carolyn paints the picture of the nursing profession through a caring and complimentary lens. She allows the beauty of the work of nurses to shine through in this beautiful book.This book is one part of The American Nurse Project, which aims to “elevate the voice of nursing” through film and photography and demonstrate the role of the nurse in the American health care system. The American Nurse is the first step of the journey into the world of nursing. The associated website (www.americannurseproject.com) provides additional videos of the interviews with each of the 75 nurses, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the work of creating a book. This work has transitioned into the development of a full length feature film on the American nurse, which is expected to be released in spring 2014.The American Nurse was born out of curiosity and shares the compassion and caring of its subjects with the world. This work of art tells the story of all nurses who spend their days, nights, and weekends dedicated to the care of patients and families throughout the country.