Nursing & Medical Biography Reviews

Time for Christmas? Nursing & medical biographies are not just for nurses, most people experience setting foot inside of hospitals at some time in their lives, whether as staff, patient or visitor. I have experienced all three and in addition to that I have also entered the fray as an inspector and a lecturer.

Fly on the wall experiences

We seem to have a fascination in this day and age for reality TV but when it comes to books are we more likely to choose a novel? Personally, I must be nosey because I love biographies and don’t just confine myself to those about hospitals. I have read biographies about the rich and famous but also about the normal, everyday person who writes about their life. Why? Because I am interested in people and their lives. Everybody has a story to tell and they also say that everybody has a book in them. Since finally living my dream and taking to the pen (or laptop), I have discovered that I have multiple books in me.

So where to start with nursing & medical biographies!

Reviews

One Pair of Feet, Monica Dickens

The first insight I ever gained into the nursing life was through Monica Dickens. Her book One Pair of Feet made me laugh out loud. Monica describes life as a trainee nurse during World War II. Life for a student nurse in the 1940s was even stricter than when I trained in the 1970s. The book is as flighty as Monica appears to have been herself but there are some good descriptions of life as a student nurse. This nurse was never going to succumb to the regimentation of hospital life and her night time escapes for fun and dating are inevitable. It is also inevitable that she will get into trouble with her superiors. There are some good insights and stories in the book but it does not contain much information about the war that is raging in the background. If you like her writing style you may also like One Pair of Hands which is equally funny.

Yes Sister, no Sister, Jennifer Craig
This one is set in Leeds in the 1950s and Jennifer describes experiences similar to those encountered by Monica Dickens in the 1940s. Matron is still top-dog and student nurses are bottom of the rung.

I found that this book lost its way a little in the latter parts which made it more difficult to finish. Having said that, it is still a good read with quite a bit of humour, interspersed with friendships and challenges.

Dr Ida, Dorothy Clarke-Wilson
I had to include this book because, although it is only available in used (hardback) format it is an incredible story. Dr Ida Scudder was one of the early women who trained as a medical doctor in the USA. She was the daughter of missionaries and determined not to be a missionary herself. Her father asked her to return to India when her mum became ill and after witnessing women dying during childbirth due to the lack of medical care and the refusal to allow male doctors to help, she returned to America to train as a doctor. She became a pioneering gynaecologist who did go to work in India and she worked tirelessly for over 50 years to improve the lot of women. She founded a nursing school followed by a medical school for women in India in spite of encountering prejudice. The Medical institution in Vellore which she founded is world class even to this day. A truly inspiring read of what one determined woman (or man) can achieve. It is one of the most precious books on my bookshelf.

Nurse! Nurse!: A student nurse’s story
This one is a modern day student nurse’s story. A male nurse who starts training in his 30s describes what it is like to train in the more recent climate. Whilst no-where near as challenging as training years ago, Jimmy still faces challenges on the wards. His first mentor is not very supportive and he encounters some difficult patients. He opts for mental health nursing and describes his experiences with sympathetic humour.

The book describes some of the challenges encountered by male nurses in a predominantly female profession and some of the ribbing he gets from his alpha male friends.

This book is a good read and I read it within a few days as I liked his writing style. He appears to go off in a different direction at the end of his training which is a bit of a shame.

Hurry up Nurse!: memoirs of nurse training in the 1970s, Dawn Brookes 
I obviously can’t review my own book so I will provide a brief description and add a review from someone else! The book describes life as a trainee nurse in Leicester in the late 1970s. There are lots of anecdotes and although the Matron is no longer around, Nursing Officers and ward Sisters are still formidable and the majority of the training is still practical and ward-based.

‘I hope any time I need a nurse, that nurse is as compassionate and professional as Dawn Brookes. I liked Hurry Up Nurse! I liked it very much. Even better, I like Dawn. I like her beginning, I like her journey. I like the person and professional she has become.
What I like most about Hurry Up Nurse is the way Dawn wrote it. Her tone is perfect for the book. It’s perfect for her life.Rich in detail, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, Hurry Up Nurse is always real and warm. If you are a young person contemplating going into this field, this is a must-read. But anyone who enjoys reading realistic life stories should pick it up just for fun. You will meet a great person. –Reader’s Favorite Reviewer and his star rating is below.

Hurry up Nurse 2: London calling, Dawn Brookes
For the same reason as above, I will add a short description and a reader’s review. This book is a sequel to the first but can be read as a stand-alone. It is set at the London Chest Hospital in the London’s East End.

‘An excellent read after the first book, I can’t fault it in any way, just wish there were more. I lived every word, and loved the real thing ,the happiest time of my life.’ Reviewers rating below.

Not your Average Nurse, Maggie Groth 
Set in London in the early 1970s, this book is an interesting read. I found it quite difficult at first. Although her entry into nursing was similar to mine in that it was not a pure career choice, she appeared to hate it at first. Initially I found her cynical and unfeeling but as the book developed, so did she and her compassion was a result of nurture, not nature.

It is obvious from the start that she would not succumb to the discipline of the day but had an interesting career as a nurse before moving on. I found some of her post qualification jobs interesting and engaging.

Take my Hands, Dorothy Clarke-Wilson
Another excellent book about an Indian doctor called Mary Verghese. If you can get hold of a copy of this book it is a must-read. Mary was a student of Dr Ida and was aspiring to be a gynaecologist like her mentor. She had a road accident that left her paralysed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

Under the tutelage and mentorship of Dr Paul Brand, himself a pioneer, she learnt how to perform surgery and leprosy rehabilitation. A truly inspiring read.

If you buy any or all of these books for yourself or as Christmas presents, you will not be disappointed.