A Nurse and Mother

by Evelyn Prentis

"Matron smiled. It was the smile that one woman gives to another and not the chilly facial movement from Matrons of old. 'Do you think you would be able to work 9 to 3.30?' For a moment I couldn't think at all. There seemed something not quite right in being paid for so little labor."At the end of the Second World War, as husbands came back to Civvy Street their wives had the luxury of staying at home with the children. For a short while at least. Soon Evelyn realized she had to find part-time work to make ends meet, and to her astonishment she is offered part-time hours at her old hospital. The day-to-day job hadn't changed much, but she was now a nurse and mother. Whooping cough and measles could still kill a small child, and the early '50s polio epidemic left the whole country in shock. But the nurses worked hard, moaned incessantly about their aching feet and yet found things to laugh at, just as they did from the start of their training. If old soldiers never die, then neither do nurses.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature, Biography

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 1980

About the author

Brought up in Lincolnshire, Evelyn Prentis (real name Evelyn Taws) left home at eighteen to become a nurse. She later moved to London during the war, where she married and raised her family. Like so many other nurses, she went back to hospital and used any spare time she might have had bringing up her children and running her home.
Evelyn Prentis died in 2001 at the age of 85. Her daughters Judith Campbell and Barbara Mumford say: ‘We have always felt that these books are special, as indeed was our mother. She was a larger than life character with a disarming and extreme sense of humour. We are delighted that our mother’s books are being republished. We miss her greatly and are thrilled that her legacy lives on for another generation.’

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent light book about the difficulties of combining a career with a demanding job. the chapter about polio was v informative. enjoying reading her books as easy to read and enjoyable

[Cheryl Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a nurse and a mother I really enjoyed this, so many parts I can relate to. A really good read.

[Caroline Shear · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Nurse and Mother by Evelyn Prentis
Book Review:
This is the third book in the series by Evelyn Prentis, following on from A Nurse In Action. Set just after the second world war Evelyn and her family are finding the times hard, rationing was still in place and money was tight. Whilst Evelyn was looking for a job to help with the bills during one of her unsuccessful interviews the gentleman asked her why she didn’t go back to nursing. Thinking nursing was a full time job she didn’t think this was possible but after the war even the hospitals needed part time workers to fill their vacancies.

The author tells us of her days working at her old hospital ward before being moved to the infectious diseases wing, where they meet many colourful characters along the way, she describes her duties as a nurse, and how things had become much different with the changing times, as well as her home life as a mother and wife to her two children and the struggles they endure as a family.

The book also has some sorrowful, despairing movements as any nurse can imagine.

[Lindsey Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

A fantastic incite into the daily struggles of being nurse and mother in days gone by. Some serious and heartbreaking times, with a handful of humours occasions thrown in. Would highly recommend

[Beverley Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining

Nice easy light reading. Good book would recommend it. ............. ............... ....... ...... ...... .... ..... .....
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[Adele Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Love a true content book. Was worth reading. Would recommend if you enjoy nurse/ hospital care stories

[Laura Wallis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book.wpuls live to read more by her

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of the best books about the post war period that I have ever read. It talks about the life changing impact of war in the terms of little effects that other books dont for example the fact that once the war was over it was very difficult for men women and children all to adapt to the change.

[James Short · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preferred the 2 previous books but still makes me want to nurse in the olden days!

[Jo Marlow barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book to get them emotions going.

Fantastic ......

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, as much as the previous two.

[Mr A. Rapado · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Another wonderful read. It seems so sad, but good that things have changed so much since this time in Nhs

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quick read on similar themes as the previous books and the author is slowly becoming more 'real' as she includes more personal feelings.

[Anna Ciddor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting autobiography of post war life in Britain with lots of humorous anecdotes

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable. Very readable