Whether you are just starting your journey through grad school to work towards that BSN to DNP online from a well-respected school like Bradley University or have already graduated and are currently working with that nurse practitioner doctorate degree, you will need inspiration from time to time. That’s a given.

Anyone who is as busy and focused as a DNP, or is a student preparing for life as a DNP, knows what it’s like to need that extra bit of encouragement to keep going day after day. You might find the following books helpful when you’ve run out of battery and are in need of a bit of recharging.

How Doctors Think (Jerome Groopman)

If you read nothing else, this book is recommended for nurses who are, for all intents and purposes, jumping the fence to approach patient care from a different direction. Altogether too often, nurses become frustrated with doctors because they call the shots, literally as well as figuratively! This book gives you a better perspective of what a doctor sees from a broader scope and, as such, is bound by a different set of rules, regulations, and duties.

The buck stops with the doctor and sometimes it’s hard to remember that as a nurse. When you are a DNP, that buck will stop with you, so how would you make the call? Not only will this help you as a DNP, but as a nurse who sometimes has trouble understanding the reasoning behind what a doctor does and says, it will help you too. Getting inside the mind of doctors will help you every step of the way along your journey as a DNP.

Too Busy for Your Own Good: Get More Done in Less Time with Even More Energy (Connie Merritt)

As a nurse, you know all too well just how crazy life can get when you are constantly on the run. There is never a dull moment in the field of nursing and with such a severe shortage of trained medical personnel, more and more responsibilities fall on you. Do you often feel as though you are spinning your wheels, getting nowhere fast? Do you return home after a busy day on the floor, totally exhausted to the point where even eating dinner is a chore? If so, this book is for you.

Valuable Lessons

The book tells the story of how Connie was at the head of her game, making a great living and enjoying life to the full. At some point, though, she became overwhelmed with all the responsibilities and literally broke down. After finding herself in the ER in a full-blown panic attack, the author decided to go on a journey of self-discovery. Focusing on prioritizing her time and energy, Connie finally understood how to achieve a healthy balance in her life. In the book, she imparts valuable lessons to the reader.

These are just a couple books which should inspire you as you journey through life as a DNP. You will, at times, be overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what is expected of you, but with a little inspiration and a good read, you will find the energy you need to take one step after another. No one said life as a DNP would be easy, but the rewards are well worth the effort.