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A Nurse and Mother: My Life as a Post-War Nurse
'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 labour.'
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 realised she had to find part-time work to make ends meet, and to her astonishment she was 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.
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 realised she had to find part-time work to make ends meet, and to her astonishment she was 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.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 1980
41 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Evelyn Prentis
7 books16 followersBrought 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.’
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.’
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 16, 2013
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
March 10, 2021
As a nurse and a mother I really enjoyed this, so many parts I can relate to. A really good read.
March 4, 2022
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.
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.
January 14, 2018
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
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
September 26, 2018
Entertaining
Nice easy light reading. Good book would recommend it. ............. ............... ....... ...... ...... .... ..... .....
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Nice easy light reading. Good book would recommend it. ............. ............... ....... ...... ...... .... ..... .....
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July 31, 2023
Great read. Love a true content book. Was worth reading. Would recommend if you enjoy nurse/ hospital care stories
January 7, 2025
A really good book.wpuls live to read more by her
January 26, 2012
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.
September 19, 2012
Preferred the 2 previous books but still makes me want to nurse in the olden days!
April 5, 2013
Another book to get them emotions going.
Fantastic ......
Fantastic ......
January 4, 2016
I enjoyed this book, as much as the previous two.
February 6, 2016
5 stars
Another wonderful read. It seems so sad, but good that things have changed so much since this time in Nhs
Another wonderful read. It seems so sad, but good that things have changed so much since this time in Nhs
February 8, 2023
Another quick read on similar themes as the previous books and the author is slowly becoming more 'real' as she includes more personal feelings.
December 16, 2016
Interesting autobiography of post war life in Britain with lots of humorous anecdotes
March 21, 2023
Really enjoyable. Very readable
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews