District Nurse

by Patricia Jordan

Combines the heartwarming and the heartbreaking in an account of the author's life and work as a district nurse in the north of England

Genres: Medical, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Memoir

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Born in Belfast in July 1922, Patricia Jordan left her home town in 1944 to embark on a nursing career, beginning at Clare Hall Sanatorium, Barnet before going to train at the North Middlesex Hospital where she gained her S.R.N. Certificate in 1948. After a short period there as a Staff Nurse, she returned to Belfast to work for a year at Musgrove Park Hospital. She left for England once more to study at Sharoe Green Hospital, Preston, where she received her State Certified Midwifery Certificate in 1951, and in 1961 she was awarded the National Certificate of District Nursing. Her memoir, District Nurse, detailing her life as a nurse in the 1950s, was published in 1977.

Reviews

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and amusing memoir about a district nurse named Patricia and her work with a variety of characters in 1950s England. I loved hearing not just about the people she came into contact with but how she treated people. Mostly because the instruments and cures of the 50s are alien to 2017. Really enjoyable and quick to read.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this is an excellent Book, and although it is aimed for adults, I found it as an amazing Read as an early Teen! Very Impressed!

[Jean Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this tale of the lives of various medical professionals many moons ago. Couldn't believe the doc who dished out medicine from coloured bottles. Did he even examine patients properly? The nurse nicknamed "Busty" was a character and a half too and not always very professional. It's a wonder she kept her job. Mind you, plenty of the patients were quirky characters too who provided some humour.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thos was such a charming read and heartbreaking at times as well. Follows Patricia as she becomes a district nurse she's from Belfast but moves to England to train as a nurse she meets her future husband who was a patient and she starts working in the north east. It's very challenging and very well written I really enjoying reading it.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the same vein as Call the Midwife, but not quite as good.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentle, easy, evocative of a by gone era

[Lesley Kitchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the 70s about the 50s makes this narrative very quaint. It is about innocent times and there was a lot of "general nursing care" which my nurse friends will remember! A story of simpler, more charming days.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit I really did like this book as I love many Nursing Books! Maybe it's going to be the making of me!

[Delia Stearnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a nurse who trained in the 70s so it's interesting to read about nursing in the 50s. An easy read.

[Liz Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh lovely cosy read!