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megstro's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable if you’re interested in the 50s or nursing but not particularly engaging. I admire Craig’s attention to detail in describing what student nurses went through and how things have changed. I appreciate the deep compassion Craig held for patients but find the inclusion of a completely fictitious IRA bombing in the 50s to be a bit odd—perhaps she was influenced by Call the Midwife’s inclusion of sensational but unverified events (which admittedly made CTM all the more engaging)? I have no doubt that Craig experienced something akin to what happened in the book, but I think perhaps she bent the timeline to make it fit the student nursing narrative and impose viewpoints about the IRA. Odd, but compelling.
notlikethebeer's review
3.0
This was good, a little hard to follow and quite medicalised sometimes (eg, description of processes etc without explanation), but overall a nice account of nursing in the 50s. It was very atmospheric, made me want to read more books about life in post-war Britain, and quite engrossing. Seeing how 'on the job' the training was was almost horrifying! Also a really interesting look at the views of the time, especially pertaining to sex, marriage, prudence etc.
mrsmuir's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. It was so good to read about the training and life of nurses in the 50’s and the humour between the staff and patients.
bfth23's review
4.0
Well written memoir. Made me appreciate those in the nursing profession even more than I already do.
vcmc's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting insight into hospital practice and conditions in the fifties. It would be interesting to know how modern day nurses feel about the difference between then and now.
awall14's review against another edition
3.0
A fun read, especially as I have just finished my four years of nursing. Sometimes the author tends to brag about herself a little bit too much, but overall it was an easy and fun read and very interesting to look at nursing in the 1950's. Although some things have changed there was a lot of very apparent similarities.
samstillreading's review against another edition
4.0
Ever since I read the Sue Barton: Nurse books as a girl, I’ve been interested in reading books about nursing, particularly in the ‘olden’ days when there were Sisters and Matrons and nurses wore caps. (I’m sure some of my nurse friends would be horrified with my thoughts). This book appeared on Kobo and I had to have it. It tells the story of Jennifer’s training as a nurse at the Leeds General Infirmary in the 1950s – the highs, the lows and the friends. This book is very funny in places (eg. climbing up a rope ladder after being locked out of the nurses’ home) and very sad in others (eg. death of a baby, a colleague being diagnosed with schizophrenia).
It also highlights the differences in nursing today and back then – in Jennifer’s days, nurses did some of the cooking for the patients, cleaned the ward (including dusting) and were expected to be subservient to the ward sister and Matron. These days, nurses don’t cook generally (that’s why there’s kitchen staff) or clean (orderlies and cleaners are employed) and everyone’s pretty much on first name terms. I’m not a nurse, but being called ‘Sister’ in my hospital is a term that you’re one of the gang, rather than a sign of authority.
It was interesting to read that about 30% of the other students Jennifer (or Jenny) started with actually completed the course. Nursing seems like hard work – long day shifts, split shifts, night shifts – and then study as well. There was bullying of nurses and restrictions on dress, code of conduct etc. It was heartening though to read about the strong friendships made during her time at LGI.
Easy to read and well written, this is a good read for an insight into those times. Although it wraps up rather quickly and abruptly, it is still an interesting one.
It also highlights the differences in nursing today and back then – in Jennifer’s days, nurses did some of the cooking for the patients, cleaned the ward (including dusting) and were expected to be subservient to the ward sister and Matron. These days, nurses don’t cook generally (that’s why there’s kitchen staff) or clean (orderlies and cleaners are employed) and everyone’s pretty much on first name terms. I’m not a nurse, but being called ‘Sister’ in my hospital is a term that you’re one of the gang, rather than a sign of authority.
It was interesting to read that about 30% of the other students Jennifer (or Jenny) started with actually completed the course. Nursing seems like hard work – long day shifts, split shifts, night shifts – and then study as well. There was bullying of nurses and restrictions on dress, code of conduct etc. It was heartening though to read about the strong friendships made during her time at LGI.
Easy to read and well written, this is a good read for an insight into those times. Although it wraps up rather quickly and abruptly, it is still an interesting one.