I have wanted to start this thread for ages now. Am sure that if I checked the archives it would be there, but too bad!
I love to read and would like to hear from other readers as to their best nursing book - not the factual text books 'cos I'm sure we're all drowning in those! I mean those books that touched you in some way, made you laugh, taught you something about nursing in other times or circumstances.
For instance, although they may be old and a bit dated, I have enjoyed the following:
"One pair of feet" by Monica Dickens
"White Coolies" by Betty Jeffrey (WW2 military nursing true POW story)
"A lamp is heavy" by Sheila Mackay Russell
"Behind the veil" by Linda Laube
What about the 'Cherry Ames' stories by Helen Wells? I havent read any but I hear they're classics!
Or "Hospital by the river" by Catherine Hamlin (this just sneaks in as a nursing story - not really, but a good book none the less)
And then there's films. I cant really think of any 'nursing' films (except for horrible old Carry on...whatever) although I'm sure they are out there.
Has anyone ever read any of the G-rated, sweet old-fashioned romance novels by Betty Neels? The heroine is almost always a sweet, hard working nurse. Betty Neels was a nurse herself and to this day the books are still so popular that Harlequin re-releases them all the time. Alot of them are like the classic Cinderella story (which is dear to my heart too) and I have always loved them since I was very young. They are actually one of the reasons I have decided to become a nurse (there are more serious reasons too, of course!)
Harlequin also publishes a whole line of Medical-based romance novels, often with nurses as the main characters, but they aren't nearly as sweet and nice as the novels Betty Neels wrote (IMHO).
Well, I have been able to get a few of Betty Neels books on abebooks.com and I agree, they are just delightful!
Another just for entertainemt: "The case of the not-so-nice-nurse" by Mabel Manney
It's a parody of nursing in the 50's, the Cherry Aimes books, girl detective fiction, and lesbian romantic fiction.
I have also been able to get a copy of this book on abebooks.com. I found it so very funny and so very silly! I am still circulating it among my nurse friends.
Yay, I'm so thrilled to find a fellow Betty Neels fan! You know, Amazon.com has a whole bunch of Betty Neels books that are still in print. I have quite a few and I just :redbeathe them soo much! Heres the link:
I just finished reading, The pieces of my heart: By Keith Walker. This has been mentioned before. It is the stories of 26 women who served in Vietnam. I also have recently watched Vietnam Nurses with Dana Delany. Real Good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take care........ keep um coming!!!
Specializes in aged, palliative care, cardiac, agency,.
Sorry all you Echo Heron fans out there. I have nearly finished her first book and I am struggling with it. All nurses can relate to the stories she tells and she writes well. BUT I am finding her a bit much - a little humility wouldnt go astray. For instance she writes that, as a student nurse mind you, she had to tell a mother that her toddler had just died / not been able to be resuscitated after a drowning. Really? A first year student nurse would do that??? It's a bit like Echo Heron - God's gift to nursing. Anyway I have the second book which I will read too but I am disappointed. Any feedback? (and yes, I expect to be hounded down by her fans out there - that's ok).
Sorry all you Echo Heron fans out there. I have nearly finished her first book and I am struggling with it. All nurses can relate to the stories she tells and she writes well. BUT I am finding her a bit much - a little humility wouldnt go astray. For instance she writes that, as a student nurse mind you, she had to tell a mother that her toddler had just died / not been able to be resuscitated after a drowning. Really? A first year student nurse would do that??? It's a bit like Echo Heron - God's gift to nursing. Anyway I have the second book which I will read too but I am disappointed. Any feedback? (and yes, I expect to be hounded down by her fans out there - that's ok).
While I enjoy her books, I can see how someone could interpret her as being "a bit much". She was very assertive for pt. advocacy and that is positive. But sometimes she was pretty obnoxious. But I am a "fan" also.
I know what you mean by Echo. She can be a bit overbearing at times. I do respect her passion and advocacy. I just read her books; I don't have to work with her. I did like her book where nurses of different backgrounds described their work.
I would have to say that my favorite Author is Michael Palmer...I came across his book "the fifth vial" about a year ago and couldn't put it down. He is a doctor, and amazing writer. I just finished reading "fatal" and once again...amazed! His stories are so full of suspense. He has about 11 books out. I am just starting on "The Sisterhood" about nurses, and I know I will be impressed once more
Specializes in aged, palliative care, cardiac, agency,.
I agree - this is a very good point that I have overlooked. Patient advocacy is a must and she does this well.
Have read a bit further, nearing the end of "Intensive Care", and the next bit was much better. I have just read the back cover of her next book "Tending Lives" and it appears to be a book about many nurses and their varied experiences. This one I am looking forward to.
Specializes in aged, palliative care, cardiac, agency,.
I would have to say that my favorite Author is Michael Palmer...I came across his book "the fifth vial" about a year ago and couldn't put it down. He is a doctor, and amazing writer. I just finished reading "fatal" and once again...amazed! His stories are so full of suspense. He has about 11 books out. I am just starting on "The Sisterhood" about nurses, and I know I will be impressed once more
Thanks Lylesmom - a new author to look out for. "The Sisterhood" sounds like a good place to start.
Mind you I do still have a pile of other books that I have sourced from this thread that I want to read as well. How is it that there is never enough hours in the day for reading endlessly??? But always sems to be time for housework, paying bills, running around, picking up, droping off, car services..........I think I could rearrange my days to fit in more reading!
joannep
439 Posts
Well, I have been able to get a few of Betty Neels books on abebooks.com and I agree, they are just delightful!
I have also been able to get a copy of this book on abebooks.com. I found it so very funny and so very silly! I am still circulating it among my nurse friends.
Thanks for the tips;