Notes From the Mothership The Naked Invisibles

SYNOPSIS:

‘Notes’ is the ‘Shawshank Redemption’ of this multi-talented registered nurse, grown-ass woman, subject not object, one, Adrienne Zurub! (Though not centered on any murderous wrongdoing!) “Everything that is important is invisible” is a quote within the book that buttresses the impetus and prevailing theme within this book and its stories. Themes of invisibility, self-negation, obsession, and sexism amongst others (patient advocacy, stand up comedy, theater, etc.) are played out, and evolved in the arena of cardiothoracic surgery, at a world renowned open heart facility. Essentially and philosophically we choose our respective battlegrounds.

It is no coincidence, maybe divine intervention, or fate if you will, that Ms. Zurub plays out her existential search for self, identity, and the definition of herself in her worlds, and others, in a surgical setting, whereby the diseased and the cancerous are excised routinely, and arteries are bypassed. This book with the precision of Occam’s razor effectively parallels the author’s mission in excising layers of self doubt, perceptions of inferiority, invisibility, and longing. ‘Notes’ gratefully distances itself from the television sitcom induced vision of OR’s, surgeons, nurses and all the people that treat you and I as patients, friends, and colleagues.

Within this insular environment where the ‘masking procedure’ is ritualistically performed to protect oneself, this ‘masking’ also serves as the book demonstrates with loud and quiet attention, to allow its denizens to hide from the foibles and weaknesses of themselves, Ms. Zurub included. The authors’ ability to ‘read’ people, an innate talent she possessed as a child is heighten in this covert setting.

The journey of Adrienne Zurub suggests a more urbane provenance than her as an eleven year-old grrl with incredible ambition, the oldest of nine children, in a small ‘junk’ room, in a modest home on a village of a street in
Cleveland, Ohio. As this precocious child, she uses collages, hung on the wall at the end of her bed, to bring the disparate elements of her life together as well as serving as a talisman to                                                                                             her future selves.

“Fucking cunt” “Bitch!” “You’re too stupid to forage for food!” “Did the nerve gas get to you!!” These are expressions you would expect to hear on dirty urban streets, yet these insults and others marked the environment that Adrienne Zurub, as a registered nurse on the prestigious Cleveland Clinic open heart team, heard sprinkled freely in regards to her nursing colleagues (both male and female), residents, and anyone who drew the wrath of angry surgeons! Yet, this book is not about angry surgeons.Notes’ multi-dimensional, multi-functional force is that it delivers insider patient information and advice in its patient advocacy role. It inspires with poignant patient stories and stories of the incredibly average persons who make up this accomplished team. And ‘Notes’ the long awaited ,baby’ of Adrienne Zurub, is a revealing nonfiction work detailing with wit, poignancy and stark attention her very personal search for identity, validation, and self within the context of her world and this environment. The author’s seeking, longing, and connections are most human, and we as readers are privy to the deeply personal without the stench of voyeurism. It becomes safe ‘shared’ learning from the vantage point of close proximity.

REVIEWS: 4 the book and me! I am blown away with your ability to draw me into the emotion of your experiences. You've been able to communicate (so beautifully) all the various accompanying emotions that have surrounded the cases you describe. You've captured the agony, the wonder, the humor, the paradoxes and the surreal qualities of being, day-after-day, in an environment that is way outside most people's experiences. --Laurel Durrett Adrienne, you are an iconoclast! --E.Moya, CRNA Very well written! COMPELLING! --Elizabeth, Write-Design SUPERB! --GrownAzzedWoman@MyBlogLog.com You inspire the mind. --Paul Berube I laughed. I cried. It was incredible. I experienced the full range of emotions.--Carolyn Gaines, RN As a fellow writer, I love reading about your countdown to publication. I will buy your book when it comes out! --Charlotte@wordstrumpet.typepad.com You are the most charismatic woman I have ever met! --Naz Aydin, MD She was my angel. She made all the difference.--Kevin (my frightened patient from Hawaii undergoing open heart surgery) Empowered, Strong, Feminine, Inspiring, and multi-talented are just a few of the words that come quickly to mind upon meeting UBU (you be YOU!) Technorati Profile bhref="http://www.authornation.com/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=userProfile&user=419">Meet Adrienne Zurub

Comments

[euclid nurse]

oprah has one of our high ranking guys on her show sometimes. Doubtful you'll get on there...however, I am sure you have read suzanne gordon books, right? "from silence to voice", etc.
can't wait to read, though i already know quite a bit about mothership culture.

[Sharon Pearce CRNA from NC]

I read about you in an article about you getting fired because of the book. I am so sorry for you but they have probably done you a favor and helped you reach your goal of being a best selling author. If the ANA has any sense, they will back you and use this as a springboard to highlight the ugly truth about how nurses are treated. As an old OR nurse, I had instruments and bags of blood thrown at me, not counting verbal insults! That is why I went on to be a CRNA- we do not usually get yelled at!

I will now buy your book but would not have known about it without the firing. Keep your head up! All us "insiders" know you speak the truth. Sharon

[Carmen Giannini]

I am so proud of you! Thank you for your insight and your voice. I support you 100%

[AbusedEveryDay]

Congrats to you in writing your book. I am looking forward to reading it when it becomes available on Amazon.com. I hope that you are laughing all the way to the bank. I too work in an environment where getting Abused EveryDay is a common occurrence even among the upper management. No one even flutters an eyelash about it...just alot of snickering and laughing. To me, the abuse is real. Employees don't stick together. Managers and supervisors don't protect their employees. There are plenty of EEOC laws that have to be reinforced in many companies. Unfortunately, employees are scared. If they don't want to tolerate things, they leave. I too am proud of my contribution in healthcare.

I hope you have a good lawyer.Good luck to you.

[Amy]

Adrienne,

When I heard that you had written this book, I felt that it was about time that someone said something!! I worked for 2 years at the Mothership in the cardiothoracic ICU as a new nurse and experienced the abuse firsthand. Anyone who has not worked there cannot possibly understand what it is like! Although you are proud of the work you do, it does not make up for the treatment you recieve from the surgeons. Working there changed me and my view of the Clinic forever! I wish you tremendous success with the book!

[MINGO]

Adrienne,

I saw your story on Fox 8 last evening. As an employee of a cleveland clinic affiliated, I want you to know that I support you 110%. I have some very deep and dynamic issues with this organization myself, because not only am I an employee, I have recently within the last few months been diagnosed with a serious illness that went unchecked for almost a year and have been forced into the position of patient as well. The interesting part is that I found out just prior to learning about the serious ilness that I am expecting. I have some serious concerns about this organization and the way it treats people period. We should talk. SOON!

[Tommy P]

Adrienne:
We just read the article in the PD and immediately ordered the book on Amazon. My wife works in healthcare in the Cleveland area and we can't wait to read the book. Amazon says the book is backordered - make sure that your publisher gets plenty of copies printed to stock them up - I think its going to be a big seller! Could there be a movie?
Tom

[Karyn]

Saw your story on Newsnet 5. I've written a letter to open the public's eyes to the world of nursing. However, I fear the loss of my job should I sign it and send it out for publication. I'd love to share it with you. The Clinic is not the only hospital where nurses are treated as second class citizens. Let me know if you'd like me to share! I'd love to hear from you.

[dove2sr]

Adrienne,
Good for you and thank you for having the courage to speak up. As a patient, I experienced horror, bullying, and disregard for medical treatment because I refused to play "the game" and complained. I feel I am safer with no medical care rather than care at the Cleveland Clinic. Please let me know if I can help you.

[Nicole]

I currently work for the Mothership and, from what I've seen, you speak the truth. It's about this time the empire is shown as what it really is; a monopoly too gradiose for its own good. Yes, "Patient's First" but to employees count at all? The answer to that is a resounding, NO.

[Deborah Murdell]

Dear Adriene,

I just read the article in the Plain Dealer about you and your new book. I haven't had a chance to read your book but will order ASAP. I too worked in a OR in a surburian hospital which performed open heart and the abuse both physical and emotional was almost a daily occurance. The langugue would have shamed a sailor. I applaud your courge in telling the true story. I wish I would have had your courage. All the best to you in the future.

[Deborah Murdell]

Dear Adriene,

I just read the article in the Plain Dealer about you and your new book. I haven't had a chance to read your book but will order ASAP. I too worked in a OR in a surburian hospital which performed open heart and the abuse both physical and emotional was almost a daily occurance. The langugue would have shamed a sailor. I applaud your courge in telling the true story. I wish I would have had your courage. All the best to you in the future.

[JAL]

Hello Adrienne,

First, I want to pray for you that you will be successful in your travels as a writer. Second, it's about time that someone exposed the Cleveland Clinic. As I mentioned in our coversation though, please be careful in your life. The Clinic has powerful attorneys that most likely work for Satan. As you know, files and evidence will be used against you (ie.evaluations,etc)and we all know that files and evidence will disappear and get conveniently lost thanks to to liars in managements. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the "BLOOD MONEY" might be used just for that! Situations and things will be skewed to benefit the leadership at CCF but Almighty God sees everything. Just like every empire before the Cleveland Clinic, tnere is a rise and a fall! Even though I am still affiliated with the Clinic,in many ways I look forward to the fall of some people.

I have a suggestion for your next book. I always wanted to write a book, a conglomerate of other employees' comments...Present employees and past employees of their comments of the Clinic. To me, it has been a PRISON here at CCF. I have all the work experience, and educational requirements and continually keep getting by-passed for promotions. And because of "POLITICS"..."They have to like you", as one administrator and third shift supervisor said. I would think that quality of the employee based on experience and education would be more beneficial than the "BUDDY SYSTEM" of hiring. The Cleveland Clinic is definitely the "GOOD OLE BOY" system of management. There are plenty of UNQUALIFIED employees throughout the Clinic who are in high-level ranking positions that are belittling folks and making us feel like we don't measure up! I think it's TIME that the Clinic be exposed. You Go Girl! I look forward to your book signing.

God Bless You, I will pray for you that all this will come to pass.

Oh, by the way, The American Greetings Corporation has many of the same problems the Clinic employees are faced with each day. There again, Satan has grabbed hold.Where there is money, Satan lerks!

God Bless You Again!

[Adrienne Zurub]

Thank you EVERYONE for your comments, support and the purchase of my book! Thank you for taking the time from your valuable schedules to post here, email me and post about me on numerous other sites!

Your comments, encouragement and support sustain, empower and inspire me.
I have received many comments that have been so personal and inspiring to me. Thank you for trusting me enough to share with me.

There are so MANY of you out there!
We have connected via this book and the many communities and interests to which we collectively belong.
WE, are a village!
I thank you! I truly thank you!

Adrienne

[OR nurse]

Finally got my hands on the book and love it! I could not have described some of your experiences any better. You have been fired because sometimes the truth hurts! Best of luck and continued success on the book!

[thecup]

Adrienne thanks for voting in the first round of my male actor tournament! I really appreciate it. The first round is over and there were a couple of surprises. Anyway thank you for voting on the first round. The second round will get harder, I hope you will vote again in Round 2. =)

[Heather]

SOLD OUT! You go girl. Book of the month club? Does Oprah know you've been fired? Great job and best of luck. Can't wait to get my hands on the book. Nursing professionals applaud you for your courage!

[Lin]

It's so wonderful that your book sold out so fast on Amazon. Wow! I think I'm going to the store to see if I can order a copy today.

[Kevin]

Wow, this sounds like a fabulous and interesting story. the details of it made me want to read more. They pulled me in and I was fascinated. Nice work and good luck with the book!

[MarvalusOne]

Congrats on the birth of your baby! I am ordering my copy...can't wait to read it!

[Bateman E]

"Notes From the Mothership The Naked Invisibles by Adrienne Zurub"...Im going to read it and get back to u...:-)

[Franx]

It's nice book great Job Mrs Adrien Zurub

[Vivienne Quek]

Wish you happiness and prosperity in 2008, and great success to your book.

[alex universe]

Hello,Adrienne,Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year

[Najma]

Very very interesting.
I wish all the best Mrs. Zurub as I wish to read the book soon

Najma