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‘This wasn’t in the Textbooks’: Life as a student nurse
“This Wasn’t in the Life as a Student Nurse”
By Demie Risby
Think you know what it takes to be a student nurse? Think again.
From gruelling night shifts to caffeine-fuelled study marathons, “This Wasn’t in the Textbooks” offers an unfiltered, heartfelt, and often hilarious look at the rollercoaster journey of becoming a nurse.
Demie Risby takes you beyond the clinical skills and textbooks into the raw, real world of student nursing—where life lessons come as fast as the 12-hour shifts, and personal growth often happens between ward rounds and bathroom breakdowns.
With stories filled with humour, heartbreak, and hope, Demie shares what it’s like to go from being a childhood cancer survivor to standing on the other side of the hospital bed as a paediatric nurse. From the chaos of clinical placements to the emotional toll of patient care, she dives deep into the messy, beautiful reality of nursing school—and the moments that make it all worth it.
Whether you’re a fellow nurse, a healthcare professional, or someone who loves inspiring true stories, this memoir will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for every student nurse who’s ever wondered if they’re cut out for the job.
Because the truth is, nursing isn’t just about saving lives—it’s about finding yourself in the process.
Perfect for fans of “This is Going to Hurt” and anyone who’s ever survived (or is surviving) nursing school.
By Demie Risby
Think you know what it takes to be a student nurse? Think again.
From gruelling night shifts to caffeine-fuelled study marathons, “This Wasn’t in the Textbooks” offers an unfiltered, heartfelt, and often hilarious look at the rollercoaster journey of becoming a nurse.
Demie Risby takes you beyond the clinical skills and textbooks into the raw, real world of student nursing—where life lessons come as fast as the 12-hour shifts, and personal growth often happens between ward rounds and bathroom breakdowns.
With stories filled with humour, heartbreak, and hope, Demie shares what it’s like to go from being a childhood cancer survivor to standing on the other side of the hospital bed as a paediatric nurse. From the chaos of clinical placements to the emotional toll of patient care, she dives deep into the messy, beautiful reality of nursing school—and the moments that make it all worth it.
Whether you’re a fellow nurse, a healthcare professional, or someone who loves inspiring true stories, this memoir will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for every student nurse who’s ever wondered if they’re cut out for the job.
Because the truth is, nursing isn’t just about saving lives—it’s about finding yourself in the process.
Perfect for fans of “This is Going to Hurt” and anyone who’s ever survived (or is surviving) nursing school.
128 pages, Paperback
Published April 8, 2025
6 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 17, 2025
Would definitely recommend if you’re a student nurse or thinking about going into nursing!
August 2, 2025
Insight on student nurses and the journey they go on
October 15, 2025
From an allied healthcare student (not nursing) this gave me a great perspective of what a nursing student may experience/encounter through their university life and placements to achieve their qualification.
I enjoyed reading about their personal perspectives and experiences.
I enjoyed reading about their personal perspectives and experiences.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews