When I set out to write a book, I thought that perhaps some of my stories might help others. I might help other nurses to think about the care they provide. I might help other people who may have to someday experience a stay in ICU. I never imagined that it would become the adventure that it has. After spending several years composing and writing, I had a manuscript that I thought might interest a few people. I asked my neighbor, an English Professor—who has also published books—to read the manuscript and give me some feedback. After reading the rough draft of the manuscript she gave me the encouragement to go on. She convinced me to pursue the publishing of my book. With her support, I took the next step, looking for a publisher.

Finding a publisher, for a first time author, is not an easy task. Many, many query letters are scripted and sent to any and all publishers who might be interested. Each publisher requires different information, different composites of the materials, and each one sends out a different rejection letter. All of which encourage the writer to continue his/her search for a publisher—just not that publisher. After a year of sending query letters and receiving a variety of rejections letters, I received that long awaited phone call. I thought my dream had come true when I received that life changing call from James A. Rock Publishing, a publisher who is interested in considering the manuscript. But an unforeseen delay occurred before I could move forward.

I informed my employer that I was publishing a book. Their first concerns seemed to be that it might be an expose, secrets from within the hospital. After assuring them that this was not meant to be an expose of blaming and finger pointing, they seemed to move their concerns toward the confidentiality issues surrounding the patients.  I tried to reassure them that I had maintained strict confidentiality for all patients, but that didn’t seem to satisfy them.

I began to feel threatened and found myself worried that I could lose my job if I pursued my dream of publishing a book. Lose my job? How could I lose my job if I was simply exercising my 1^st Amendment right? So I reached out to my union. California Nurses Association, who represents many nurses throughout the state. They were quick to support me. My union representative read the manuscript, reviewed it with the CNA legal team, and pushed back, challenging their accusations.

We met, face to face, with the administrative team and discussed the issues in question. After many discussions and some negotiations, the administration agreed to work with me. They elaborated on some of their objections and I reviewed the original content of the manuscript in the areas of their concerns. We worked together and finally agreed upon the final manuscript in the end.

I see now that this two-way collaboration helped to make my book better for all involved. I wrote it, from my perspective. I hadn’t taken into account some of their concerns. But this collaboration would not have taken place if it were not for the support of my union rep, Tim, and the California Nurses Association.
The hospital administration made it clear that they opposed my publishing the book.

I have CNA to thank.
CNA helped me fight for my rights.
CNA, helped me stand up against a team of administrators.
CNA supported me with enthusiasm in my quest to tell the public what happens INSIDE THE ICU.