What do you think?
Rate this book
The Nurse's Secret: Sneak Peek
Be one of the first to read this sneak preview sample edition of acclaimed author Amanda Skenandore’s new historical novel, a fascinating story of one woman’s search for identity and independence, set in 1880s New York and based on the little-known story of America’s first nursing school.
In the slums of 1880s New York, Una Kelly has grown up to be a rough-and-tumble grifter, able to filch a pocketbook in five seconds flat. But when another con-woman pins her for a murder she didn’t commit, Una is forced to flee. Running from the police, Una lies her way into an unlikely the nursing school at Bellevue Hospital.
Based on Florence Nightingale’s nursing principles, Bellevue is the first school of its kind in the country. Where once nurses were assumed to be ignorant and unskilled, Bellevue prizes discipline, intellect, and moral character, and only young women of good breeding need apply. At first, Una balks at her prim classmates and the doctors’ endless commands. Yet life on the streets has prepared her for the horrors of injury and disease found on the wards, and she slowly gains friendship and self-respect.
Just as she finds her footing, Una’s suspicions about a patient’s death put her at risk of exposure, and will force her to choose between her instinct for self-preservation, and exposing her identity in order to save others.
Amanda Skenandore brings her medical expertise to a page-turning story that explores the evolution of modern nursing—including the grisly realities of nineteenth-century medicine—as seen through the eyes of an intriguing and dynamic heroine.
PRAISE FOR AMANDA SKENANDORE’S THE SECOND LIFE OF MIRIELLE WEST
“In this superior historical, the author’s diligent research, as well as her empathetic depiction of those subjected to forced medical isolation, make this a winner.”
—Publishers Weekly
In the slums of 1880s New York, Una Kelly has grown up to be a rough-and-tumble grifter, able to filch a pocketbook in five seconds flat. But when another con-woman pins her for a murder she didn’t commit, Una is forced to flee. Running from the police, Una lies her way into an unlikely the nursing school at Bellevue Hospital.
Based on Florence Nightingale’s nursing principles, Bellevue is the first school of its kind in the country. Where once nurses were assumed to be ignorant and unskilled, Bellevue prizes discipline, intellect, and moral character, and only young women of good breeding need apply. At first, Una balks at her prim classmates and the doctors’ endless commands. Yet life on the streets has prepared her for the horrors of injury and disease found on the wards, and she slowly gains friendship and self-respect.
Just as she finds her footing, Una’s suspicions about a patient’s death put her at risk of exposure, and will force her to choose between her instinct for self-preservation, and exposing her identity in order to save others.
Amanda Skenandore brings her medical expertise to a page-turning story that explores the evolution of modern nursing—including the grisly realities of nineteenth-century medicine—as seen through the eyes of an intriguing and dynamic heroine.
PRAISE FOR AMANDA SKENANDORE’S THE SECOND LIFE OF MIRIELLE WEST
“In this superior historical, the author’s diligent research, as well as her empathetic depiction of those subjected to forced medical isolation, make this a winner.”
—Publishers Weekly
55 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2022
102 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Skenandore
15 books2,258 followersAmanda Skenandore is an award-winning author of historical fiction and a registered nurse. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and garnered accolades from the American Library Association, Reader’s Digest, Silicon Valley Reads, and Apple Books. She is a 2024 Nevada Arts Council’s literary fellow. Amanda lives in Las Vegas with her husband and their pet turtle, Lenore.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 26, 2025
Full circle story of Una- an unlikely nurse trainee at Bellevue hospital. Mystery and murder are intertwined with what it was truly like to work at Bellevue in the late 1800s. I wasn’t a huge fan of Una- but she redeemed herself over the course of the story. Very good book.
December 18, 2022
Not impressive w me. Much of the book is about a homeless rash girl who eventually gains admittance to a first nursing school at Bellevue...
December 23, 2022
Inaccurate title
The title and description are not accurate of the book.
Is not worth the time it takes a person to read.
The title and description are not accurate of the book.
Is not worth the time it takes a person to read.
July 11, 2023
The story started a little slow but had some good twists and turns. It ends with Redemption. Anyone can change, and we all have secrets.
November 3, 2024
I love anything medical. Especially women in medicine when they had little power. Trailblazers.
May 27, 2024
A friend sent me this book to read while recovering from surgery. I had read it a few years back but decided to read it again so that when we get together it will be fresh in my mind. Being nurse friends we will for sure discuss this book as it covers the early history of the nursing profession and the medical world. I have to say I enjoyed it as much the second time around as the first.
The story takes place in the late 1800’s in New York City. The authors writing is most descriptive as she describes the city.during this time period. I could truly picture the sights she described- the hawkers selling their wares, the horse driven ambulances clanging through the streets, people coming and going dressed in their finery or their rags - depending on their social and financial standing - the filth of the city streets. She truly gave a picture of what it was like in 1881. And the history of nursing and the medical world in that time period was well researched.
The story itself is interesting and kept me focused with a well thought out plot. The characters were strong and I loved the main character, Una. Una’s mother passed away when Una was 10 and her father, a war veteran, broken and drunk left Una to fend for herself, growing up on the streets of Nee York City like many children of that time period. I do have to say a child growing up on the streets and then getting into a nursing training program at Bellevue was a bit of a stretch. So there were parts of the story that were probably a bit unbelievable but I still enjoyed the story.
The story takes place in the late 1800’s in New York City. The authors writing is most descriptive as she describes the city.during this time period. I could truly picture the sights she described- the hawkers selling their wares, the horse driven ambulances clanging through the streets, people coming and going dressed in their finery or their rags - depending on their social and financial standing - the filth of the city streets. She truly gave a picture of what it was like in 1881. And the history of nursing and the medical world in that time period was well researched.
The story itself is interesting and kept me focused with a well thought out plot. The characters were strong and I loved the main character, Una. Una’s mother passed away when Una was 10 and her father, a war veteran, broken and drunk left Una to fend for herself, growing up on the streets of Nee York City like many children of that time period. I do have to say a child growing up on the streets and then getting into a nursing training program at Bellevue was a bit of a stretch. So there were parts of the story that were probably a bit unbelievable but I still enjoyed the story.
October 22, 2025
good story
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews