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Oh, Nurse!: One Man’s Journey Through the Nursing Life, a Personal Account of the Highs and Lows
You think hospitals are full of calm competent professionals? You’re about to get a true behind-the-scenes look at exactly what it’s like to be a nurse. (And a male nurse, at that!) Oh, Nurse! is David Daniels’s first-hand account of his experiences as a nurse, offering personal anecdotes to peel open the curtain to unveil the secrets of the nursing life. Following Daniels over the course of his 30-year career, this book helps the reader discover the hidden truths of medical professionals, both good and not so good, and it even describes specific instances where he either succeeds or fails to help particular patients. This book will show
With its memoir structure, Oh, Nurse! brings the nursing profession to life. As David Daniels finds the strength to overcome his own hurdles, he also manages to help his patients find joy and hope in the grimmest of situations. And with this tell-all book, he aims to do the same for you.
With its memoir structure, Oh, Nurse! brings the nursing profession to life. As David Daniels finds the strength to overcome his own hurdles, he also manages to help his patients find joy and hope in the grimmest of situations. And with this tell-all book, he aims to do the same for you.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2019
124 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 20, 2025
Although some stories did show the realities of nursing and dealing with problematic co-workers, I did find the whole book had an insane ego complex. The author talked about everything he did right and all the saves he did with no help. Did not focus on how difficult it actually is to be an ER nurse and the intricacies that go into it.
March 15, 2019
Difficulties of being a Male Nurse.
I am an elderly retired nurse. I usually enjoy books written by nurses . However, I felt like I was struggling to finish this book. It just didn't flow as the author jumped from one s story to another. I don't recommend this book.
I am an elderly retired nurse. I usually enjoy books written by nurses . However, I felt like I was struggling to finish this book. It just didn't flow as the author jumped from one s story to another. I don't recommend this book.
March 8, 2019
I had a little trouble with the massive ego of mr daniels. I have been doing critical care nursing for 42 years. There is no room for egos in nursing
April 21, 2019
When the author asked me to review this book I stated that I mostly read books by females with strong female leads. But I took a moment and realized that this was a male nurse. He knew where I was coming from, and he'd proven himself. So I figured his book deserved my read.
It was good. If my feet and back could have handled it, I would have tried to be a doctor or a nurse. I was a candy striper with that aim. But not only couldn't I handle it physically, when one of my patients died I found that to be too hard to take. Granted I was sixteen, not enough life experience to know people come and go from your life. But that little bit of experience made what I read in Oh, Nurse! ring even truer.
As I usually say when reviewing a biography or autobiography, this is someone's life. It is hard to play judge and jury when watching them walk in their own shoes. I wish I would be able to say this book encourages future nurses. But, with medical marriage with insurance, I don't think it is going to get better any time soon. The greatest profession should still be nursing. They are the patient advocate, or at least they should be. They are invaluable to doctors, at least they should be.
I have always loved shows like Greys Anatomy, ER, all those medical shows. They are there to give us all an eye into what is happening or can happen when personalities and money are involved in trying to take care of medical issues people present with.
I hope that in spite of his honest story of his life as a nurse, others will choose to go into that career. I hope his story opens the eyes of those in charge of our medical needs to how to make things right for all.
Good job, David Daniels!
It was good. If my feet and back could have handled it, I would have tried to be a doctor or a nurse. I was a candy striper with that aim. But not only couldn't I handle it physically, when one of my patients died I found that to be too hard to take. Granted I was sixteen, not enough life experience to know people come and go from your life. But that little bit of experience made what I read in Oh, Nurse! ring even truer.
As I usually say when reviewing a biography or autobiography, this is someone's life. It is hard to play judge and jury when watching them walk in their own shoes. I wish I would be able to say this book encourages future nurses. But, with medical marriage with insurance, I don't think it is going to get better any time soon. The greatest profession should still be nursing. They are the patient advocate, or at least they should be. They are invaluable to doctors, at least they should be.
I have always loved shows like Greys Anatomy, ER, all those medical shows. They are there to give us all an eye into what is happening or can happen when personalities and money are involved in trying to take care of medical issues people present with.
I hope that in spite of his honest story of his life as a nurse, others will choose to go into that career. I hope his story opens the eyes of those in charge of our medical needs to how to make things right for all.
Good job, David Daniels!
April 22, 2019
[I received a copy of this book in exchange of an unbiased view.]
Oh…. Boy…
It really hurts me to write a review that is barely positive, but alas, this is where I found myself as I was reading the book.
It is the story of a male nurse, when they weren’t as many as there are these days, making his way through a female-dominated job. I found the book pretty easy to read but in great need of a copy-editor who could tamp down the author’s tendency to over-use exclamation points and generally tighten up the story-telling.
Other than the fact that the author felt he was an excellent nurse (of that I have no doubt), I just didn’t get an understanding of who he really was and that would have greatly improved his story.
Can I recommend this book? I’m not sure it will be all that interesting to a general audience, but I’m sure that those who are interested in becoming nurses or are in the profession might find it of interest.
I give this book 2 stars. Read other reviews and see if this is your kind of book.
Oh…. Boy…
It really hurts me to write a review that is barely positive, but alas, this is where I found myself as I was reading the book.
It is the story of a male nurse, when they weren’t as many as there are these days, making his way through a female-dominated job. I found the book pretty easy to read but in great need of a copy-editor who could tamp down the author’s tendency to over-use exclamation points and generally tighten up the story-telling.
Other than the fact that the author felt he was an excellent nurse (of that I have no doubt), I just didn’t get an understanding of who he really was and that would have greatly improved his story.
Can I recommend this book? I’m not sure it will be all that interesting to a general audience, but I’m sure that those who are interested in becoming nurses or are in the profession might find it of interest.
I give this book 2 stars. Read other reviews and see if this is your kind of book.
June 12, 2019
On nurse get over yourself
While some of the stories ring true, the fact that the writer had so many difficult interpersonal relationships at almost every place of employment raisers some flags. I was all set to read some great ER stories ( there were a few) but was totally put off by the writers superhero mentality. I've been an ER nurse FOR 45 years both in trauma centers and small hospitals and have never been in as many personnel situations as was described. Yes there were difficult to workers but when it came to delivery of patient care every one came together . Why was there a problem at every position he held? I feel that he misrepresented the majority of ER staff and if the lay person reads this book , the perception of ER staff is less than positive.
While some of the stories ring true, the fact that the writer had so many difficult interpersonal relationships at almost every place of employment raisers some flags. I was all set to read some great ER stories ( there were a few) but was totally put off by the writers superhero mentality. I've been an ER nurse FOR 45 years both in trauma centers and small hospitals and have never been in as many personnel situations as was described. Yes there were difficult to workers but when it came to delivery of patient care every one came together . Why was there a problem at every position he held? I feel that he misrepresented the majority of ER staff and if the lay person reads this book , the perception of ER staff is less than positive.
February 19, 2020
An accurate portrayal of the ups and downs of (emergency/critical care) nursing
Everything about this book paints an accurate picture of the daily life of the ER nurse; the frantic pace, the changing of gears in a split second, the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. Having been in the profession for over 25 years, I can relate to many of the vignettes recounted. We (nurses) are often our own worst enemies and harshest critics. Too many times do we go home wondering if we could have done just a little bit more. Dave’s assessment of those in healthcare are correct. The good ones often suffer from Imposter Syndrome, the bad ones from the Dunning-Kruger Effect. Having worked with the author, I know him to be a man of integrity and a nurse of the highest caliber. Great job Dave! Do these scrubs make me look fat?
Everything about this book paints an accurate picture of the daily life of the ER nurse; the frantic pace, the changing of gears in a split second, the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. Having been in the profession for over 25 years, I can relate to many of the vignettes recounted. We (nurses) are often our own worst enemies and harshest critics. Too many times do we go home wondering if we could have done just a little bit more. Dave’s assessment of those in healthcare are correct. The good ones often suffer from Imposter Syndrome, the bad ones from the Dunning-Kruger Effect. Having worked with the author, I know him to be a man of integrity and a nurse of the highest caliber. Great job Dave! Do these scrubs make me look fat?
August 10, 2021
It’s hard to believe the author knew so many bad nurses. That has not been my experience. I assume he told the worst of the worst stories because they make for a more interesting read.
A lot of the stories felt unfinished. I think maybe the author wasn’t taking the time to understand his coworkers so there could have been more method to their madness than he realized. On the other hand, he was a male nurse during a time when most nurses were female, so maybe they did try to make things harder for him. It’s really hard to say.
A lot of the stories felt unfinished. I think maybe the author wasn’t taking the time to understand his coworkers so there could have been more method to their madness than he realized. On the other hand, he was a male nurse during a time when most nurses were female, so maybe they did try to make things harder for him. It’s really hard to say.
June 28, 2020
Wow!
I know, for a fact, that some of the things he talked about are true. I worked, as a Unit Secretary at a inner city hospital. Some nurses, are bullies and incompetent. The hospital I worked for, wanted me to go into their Nursing program. I said no thanks. Nurses should be respected, as all patient staff should be. I left after two years. One nurse, was a bully, and as I was in college, at the time, had enough of her. Told her lazy self off. Packed my stuff, and resigned.
I know, for a fact, that some of the things he talked about are true. I worked, as a Unit Secretary at a inner city hospital. Some nurses, are bullies and incompetent. The hospital I worked for, wanted me to go into their Nursing program. I said no thanks. Nurses should be respected, as all patient staff should be. I left after two years. One nurse, was a bully, and as I was in college, at the time, had enough of her. Told her lazy self off. Packed my stuff, and resigned.
March 9, 2019
Getting Out Alive
This engaging, human, and brilliant book makes me wonder how any of us ever make it out of the emergency room alive!
But there are more nurses like Mr. Daniels than like the bad ones he describes so vividly.
I recommend this book to all who need medical care st any time in our lives, and that's all of us.
This engaging, human, and brilliant book makes me wonder how any of us ever make it out of the emergency room alive!
But there are more nurses like Mr. Daniels than like the bad ones he describes so vividly.
I recommend this book to all who need medical care st any time in our lives, and that's all of us.
March 23, 2019
I liked this story of one man’s journey through the health care professions of emergency medicine and pre-hospital care. I read it as a personal story of the highs and lows of life with some deeply personal insights. Easy to read and very entertaining. I recommend this book for a look behind the curtains in health care.
June 30, 2019
Wow
As a retired nurse this book is spot on. This book is for nurses who will shake their heads as they read it.Non medical folks will need to pick up their jaws from the floor.Thank you David for the care you have your pts. Also the care you have to others pts. Thanks for speaking up too Evan when you knew the chips were stacked against you.
As a retired nurse this book is spot on. This book is for nurses who will shake their heads as they read it.Non medical folks will need to pick up their jaws from the floor.Thank you David for the care you have your pts. Also the care you have to others pts. Thanks for speaking up too Evan when you knew the chips were stacked against you.
July 5, 2019
Sad state of medicine
If you weren't t afraid of the medical profession you might be after reading this book.Per this story the amount of untrained, uncaring nurses out weight those who really want to save your life. Better chance of winning the lottery than getting great care in the facilities this nurse had the unpleasant experiences working.
If you weren't t afraid of the medical profession you might be after reading this book.Per this story the amount of untrained, uncaring nurses out weight those who really want to save your life. Better chance of winning the lottery than getting great care in the facilities this nurse had the unpleasant experiences working.
March 7, 2019
Tells it like it is !
After being in and out of numerous hospitals for over 40 years ,what this man writes rings so true!! If you want an inside glimpse of the inner workings of hospitals and E.R.s then I recommend this book highly.
After being in and out of numerous hospitals for over 40 years ,what this man writes rings so true!! If you want an inside glimpse of the inner workings of hospitals and E.R.s then I recommend this book highly.
March 11, 2019
Wow!!!
I was blown away by the stories told in this excellent book. I am a compassionate person and would have loved to have been a nurse. Sadly every job or profession has its slackers and also sadly management is mostly to blame. Thank you Jesus for REAL nurses.
I was blown away by the stories told in this excellent book. I am a compassionate person and would have loved to have been a nurse. Sadly every job or profession has its slackers and also sadly management is mostly to blame. Thank you Jesus for REAL nurses.
March 26, 2019
Nursing Reality
The author’s descriptions of nursing situations are wonderful . But god help us all if care is as bad as he also describes! Also, small thing but irritating, he uses too many exclamation marks!!!!!!!
The author’s descriptions of nursing situations are wonderful . But god help us all if care is as bad as he also describes! Also, small thing but irritating, he uses too many exclamation marks!!!!!!!
August 25, 2019
Mr. Daniels tells it like it is,warts and all. Thanx for the courage to tell it like it is. From an "old ER nurse"
Good job. Honesty is always the best medicine. Hopefully it will open the eyes of the management of every hospital.
Good job. Honesty is always the best medicine. Hopefully it will open the eyes of the management of every hospital.
December 18, 2019
Oh wow!
Makes you never want to go to a hospital! Very well written! However I was shocked to read of all the mistreatment of patients and management not caring. My wish is to die a peaceful death at home in bed!
Makes you never want to go to a hospital! Very well written! However I was shocked to read of all the mistreatment of patients and management not caring. My wish is to die a peaceful death at home in bed!
March 20, 2020
So you know you are not the only one
I gave this a five star rating because it tells the TRUE story of the nursing profession today. This book should be required reading in all nursing school.
I gave this a five star rating because it tells the TRUE story of the nursing profession today. This book should be required reading in all nursing school.
March 7, 2019
An interesting read.
April 26, 2019
Quite enlightening and a lot scary! I'll think twice before going to the ER.
September 9, 2020
Before you go
I found this hard to read. It’s meant to be funny. It is in places but others not. It’s ok.
I found this hard to read. It’s meant to be funny. It is in places but others not. It’s ok.
December 25, 2020
Brilliant
A brilliant read
A fun and sometimes sad insight into the life of a nurse the highs and lows and the brilliance behind them
A brilliant read
A fun and sometimes sad insight into the life of a nurse the highs and lows and the brilliance behind them
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews