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Yes Sister, No Sister: My Life as a Trainee Nurse in 1950s Yorkshire
A trainee nurse in the 1950s had a lot to bear. In Jennifer Craig's enchanting memoir, we meet these warm-hearted yet naïve young girls as they get to grips with strict discipline, long hours, and bodily fluids. But we also see the camaraderie that develops in evening study sessions, sneaked trips to the cinema and mischievous escapades with the young trainee doctors.
The harsh conditions prove too much for some girls, but the opportunity to help her patients in their time of need is too much of a pull for Jenny. As she commits to her vocation and knuckles down to her exams, she is determined that when she reaches the heights of Ward Sister herself she will not become the frightening matron that struck fear into her student heart.
Rich in period detail, and told with a good dose of Yorkshire humour, Yes Sister, No Sister is a life-affirming true story of a life long past.
The harsh conditions prove too much for some girls, but the opportunity to help her patients in their time of need is too much of a pull for Jenny. As she commits to her vocation and knuckles down to her exams, she is determined that when she reaches the heights of Ward Sister herself she will not become the frightening matron that struck fear into her student heart.
Rich in period detail, and told with a good dose of Yorkshire humour, Yes Sister, No Sister is a life-affirming true story of a life long past.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2002
71 people are currently reading
1758 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Craig
8 books17 followersJennifer Craig was born in Yorkshire five years before the war. No, not the Crimean war-- world war two. She spent the war years carrying her gasmask around the countryside of Gloucestershire and learned to share, take her turn, and cut up newspaper for toilet paper. The family moved to Leeds where she attended high school and later, trained as a nurse at Leeds General Infirmary. After obtaining her SRN, she trained as a midwife in London. To take her midwifery exams, she had to stay in London for a month and managed to get a job in Pontings as a floating biller. This 9 to 5 job, with an hour for lunch, was the easiest she ever had and all she had to do was ensure disparate articles customers ordered from the newspaper met up in the same parcel.
In 1961 she emigrated to Canada in the days when nurses were pushed through the immigration requirements and chose where they wanted to work. She spent a year as a nurse in Vancouver, a year in San Francisco, married a Scot and they returned to Canada. At one point she got fed up with nursing and tried for a job in a biscuit factory, but the employer said she was over-qualified.
Jennifer and her husband bought a lot in West Vancouver for $10,000, built a house and raised two children. During her mid-life crisis, she went to university and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, followed by a Masters degree in education and finally a Ph.D. in medical education from McGill University. Living in Montreal was a lesson in cold survival.
Jennifer returned to Vancouver and was on the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia for ten years as an educational consultant. Her major achievement was the creation of a teacher training program for the physicians who taught at UBC. This program became so successful, it was transported to other universities in Canada and in Jamaica, Scotland and New Mexico.
In 1994 she moved to Nelson, B.C. where she took a diploma in homeopathy and began her studies of creative writing. In 2002, Breedon Press published Yes Sister, No Sister: a Leeds nurse in the 1950s. In 2010, Ebury Press acquired the rights and published the book as Yes Sister, No Sister: My Life as a Trainee Nurse in 1950s Yorkshire for the mass paperback market. It immediately went into the London Times bestseller list where it remained for 17 weeks. It has sold over 160,000 copies.
Jabs, Jenner and Juggernauts: a Look at Vaccination was published by Impact Investigative Media Productions in 2009. Jennifer’s interest in vaccination is also reflected on the website of the International Medical Council on Vaccination (http://vaccinationcouncil.org/) where she taught a webinar and has published articles.
Jennifer’s first novel, Mary Lou’s Brew, was published by Friesen Press in 2014. It is a humorous satire on a university and is not to be taken seriously.
Jennifer lives contentedly in the mountains of British Columbia with a bichon frise and two of her five grandchildren nearby.
Web site: jennifercraig.net
Speaker Introduction:
Jennifer Craig, from Nelson, is the author of three published books: a memoir, a book on vaccination, and this, her first novel, a satire on a university. She attended a university as a mature, maybe overripe, student, and developed a rather jaded view of the proceedings. Later, as a faculty member, the jade took on a shine that certainly influenced this novel.
5 Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Me:
1. I rode a Lambretta scooter in the fifties.
2. To celebrate a hip replacement in 2000, I walked El Camino de Santiago in 2002.
3. My first financial investment was in a French fry machine. Within three months I lost my investment.
4. My first (and only) blind date had no teeth.
5. I tried to play the bagpipes in my sixties but didn’t have enough puff to inflate the bag.
In 1961 she emigrated to Canada in the days when nurses were pushed through the immigration requirements and chose where they wanted to work. She spent a year as a nurse in Vancouver, a year in San Francisco, married a Scot and they returned to Canada. At one point she got fed up with nursing and tried for a job in a biscuit factory, but the employer said she was over-qualified.
Jennifer and her husband bought a lot in West Vancouver for $10,000, built a house and raised two children. During her mid-life crisis, she went to university and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, followed by a Masters degree in education and finally a Ph.D. in medical education from McGill University. Living in Montreal was a lesson in cold survival.
Jennifer returned to Vancouver and was on the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia for ten years as an educational consultant. Her major achievement was the creation of a teacher training program for the physicians who taught at UBC. This program became so successful, it was transported to other universities in Canada and in Jamaica, Scotland and New Mexico.
In 1994 she moved to Nelson, B.C. where she took a diploma in homeopathy and began her studies of creative writing. In 2002, Breedon Press published Yes Sister, No Sister: a Leeds nurse in the 1950s. In 2010, Ebury Press acquired the rights and published the book as Yes Sister, No Sister: My Life as a Trainee Nurse in 1950s Yorkshire for the mass paperback market. It immediately went into the London Times bestseller list where it remained for 17 weeks. It has sold over 160,000 copies.
Jabs, Jenner and Juggernauts: a Look at Vaccination was published by Impact Investigative Media Productions in 2009. Jennifer’s interest in vaccination is also reflected on the website of the International Medical Council on Vaccination (http://vaccinationcouncil.org/) where she taught a webinar and has published articles.
Jennifer’s first novel, Mary Lou’s Brew, was published by Friesen Press in 2014. It is a humorous satire on a university and is not to be taken seriously.
Jennifer lives contentedly in the mountains of British Columbia with a bichon frise and two of her five grandchildren nearby.
Web site: jennifercraig.net
Speaker Introduction:
Jennifer Craig, from Nelson, is the author of three published books: a memoir, a book on vaccination, and this, her first novel, a satire on a university. She attended a university as a mature, maybe overripe, student, and developed a rather jaded view of the proceedings. Later, as a faculty member, the jade took on a shine that certainly influenced this novel.
5 Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Me:
1. I rode a Lambretta scooter in the fifties.
2. To celebrate a hip replacement in 2000, I walked El Camino de Santiago in 2002.
3. My first financial investment was in a French fry machine. Within three months I lost my investment.
4. My first (and only) blind date had no teeth.
5. I tried to play the bagpipes in my sixties but didn’t have enough puff to inflate the bag.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
February 9, 2011
I love these type of books where people from the 40's/50's/60's write about their experiences. These books are not to be confused with some of the 'Misery Lit' on the market although unfortunately they do seem to share the same type of covers.
This book follows the training of student nurses and the things they got up to both on the training and living in the nurses home - all based on true events. I found it to be an easy, light read and got through it quite quickly although did not want it to end. The book is written in a similar style to the books by Jennifer Worth who was a community midwife in the 50's - if you like those books you will like this book, similarly if you like this book maybe try one of hers too.
This book follows the training of student nurses and the things they got up to both on the training and living in the nurses home - all based on true events. I found it to be an easy, light read and got through it quite quickly although did not want it to end. The book is written in a similar style to the books by Jennifer Worth who was a community midwife in the 50's - if you like those books you will like this book, similarly if you like this book maybe try one of hers too.
October 29, 2012
Loved this book brought back so many memories although I trained in the 80's not the 50's we had the nightingale wards where you could see all patients, the metal bed pans that were freezing cold ,we rubbed meths into heels to prevent then getting sore , the night sister rounds where you had to know all your patients so glad that I never had to use a Bunsen burner and chemicals to test urine thank god someone invented dipsticks and glad we got cream for sore bums and regular turns rather than putting patients including babies in traction to prevent sore bums
Enjoyable read could highly recommend it especially for nurses loli
November 6, 2017
This book brought back memories for me. After my sister and I were out of the house, my mother went into nurses’ training. This was in the 1950s in Canada. Many things were similar between Craig’s training and my mother’s. I remember visiting my mother in the nursing residence and taking tours of the long wards. The uniforms were similar. Ongoing to the hospital today, I miss seeing the nurses in their white dresses and caps.
In the opening of the book, the author states she has taken liberty with the dialogue and some situations to make the book read more like a novel versus a memoir. She stated she did her best to keep the language and situations as they were in the 1950s.
The book is well written and brought back lots of memories. To me the 1950s do not seem that long ago but nursing and medicine have sure changed a lot. It also seems to me that good manners have also disappeared over the years. I enjoyed the book and will look for the other book written by the author entitled “Jab, Jenner and Juggernauts: A Look at Vaccinations”. Craig moved to Canada in the 1960s and went back to school. She obtained a BSN, MA and her Ph.D.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is just over nine hours long. Jennifer Craig did a good job narrating her book.
In the opening of the book, the author states she has taken liberty with the dialogue and some situations to make the book read more like a novel versus a memoir. She stated she did her best to keep the language and situations as they were in the 1950s.
The book is well written and brought back lots of memories. To me the 1950s do not seem that long ago but nursing and medicine have sure changed a lot. It also seems to me that good manners have also disappeared over the years. I enjoyed the book and will look for the other book written by the author entitled “Jab, Jenner and Juggernauts: A Look at Vaccinations”. Craig moved to Canada in the 1960s and went back to school. She obtained a BSN, MA and her Ph.D.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is just over nine hours long. Jennifer Craig did a good job narrating her book.
July 3, 2011
Ever since I read the Sue Barton: Nurse books as a girl, I’ve been interested in reading books about nursing, particularly in the ‘olden’ days when there were Sisters and Matrons and nurses wore caps. (I’m sure some of my nurse friends would be horrified with my thoughts). This book appeared on Kobo and I had to have it. It tells the story of Jennifer’s training as a nurse at the Leeds General Infirmary in the 1950s – the highs, the lows and the friends. This book is very funny in places (eg. climbing up a rope ladder after being locked out of the nurses’ home) and very sad in others (eg. death of a baby, a colleague being diagnosed with schizophrenia).
It also highlights the differences in nursing today and back then – in Jennifer’s days, nurses did some of the cooking for the patients, cleaned the ward (including dusting) and were expected to be subservient to the ward sister and Matron. These days, nurses don’t cook generally (that’s why there’s kitchen staff) or clean (orderlies and cleaners are employed) and everyone’s pretty much on first name terms. I’m not a nurse, but being called ‘Sister’ in my hospital is a term that you’re one of the gang, rather than a sign of authority.
It was interesting to read that about 30% of the other students Jennifer (or Jenny) started with actually completed the course. Nursing seems like hard work – long day shifts, split shifts, night shifts – and then study as well. There was bullying of nurses and restrictions on dress, code of conduct etc. It was heartening though to read about the strong friendships made during her time at LGI.
Easy to read and well written, this is a good read for an insight into those times. Although it wraps up rather quickly and abruptly, it is still an interesting one.
It also highlights the differences in nursing today and back then – in Jennifer’s days, nurses did some of the cooking for the patients, cleaned the ward (including dusting) and were expected to be subservient to the ward sister and Matron. These days, nurses don’t cook generally (that’s why there’s kitchen staff) or clean (orderlies and cleaners are employed) and everyone’s pretty much on first name terms. I’m not a nurse, but being called ‘Sister’ in my hospital is a term that you’re one of the gang, rather than a sign of authority.
It was interesting to read that about 30% of the other students Jennifer (or Jenny) started with actually completed the course. Nursing seems like hard work – long day shifts, split shifts, night shifts – and then study as well. There was bullying of nurses and restrictions on dress, code of conduct etc. It was heartening though to read about the strong friendships made during her time at LGI.
Easy to read and well written, this is a good read for an insight into those times. Although it wraps up rather quickly and abruptly, it is still an interesting one.
April 1, 2017
Three and a half stars.
Growing up in the 1960s in a small rural town, there were three positions that "nice" single girls trained for: secretary, nurse, or teacher. I grew up around a lot of nurses, amongst them my eldest sister, my aunt, and my notorious black-sheep Great-aunt Stel, who "specialled" geriatric cases-- and married more than one. In those days nurses dressed in white from top to toe, including tights, and the cap was all-important as by shape and stripe (if any), it told where the nurse had trained. Nowadays the severe "nursing whites" and caps are gone in favour of more patient-friendly prints and pastels--most often trousers and smocks, of which my elderly aunt strongly disapproved! "You don't know if they're nurses or the cleaning crew!" she grumbled once, but then she had been head surgical nurse in her day.
I was amazed to read that the nurses' formal training at LGI in the fifties counted up to about 3 months of actual formal instruction, with all the rest hands-on practicum, with the exception of two whole "study days" per year (what we would call today in-service training days) at which the nurses were informed of new developments in nursing! My sister had more "book learning" than that a mere 10 years later, not to mention workshops, conferences and in-service seminars galore. Of course in the past 60 years medical techniques and knowledge have come on by leaps and bounds--even in the mid-seventies a diagnosis of cancer was a death sentence, end of story, while today many people survive for decades because of improved diagnosis and treatment. But imagine treating glaucoma with leeches! or a nurse sitting around repairing rubber gloves for re-use in surgery! Even commercial sterile bandage packs, etc. were unknown then. I've never been in a UK hospital, but I can't imagine contests for the best-decorated wards at Christmas or the staff surgeon carving a turkey for the patients' dinner today, let alone daily communal prayers before the nurses start their shift! Shades of Sister Dora!
There were a couple of false notes, however. How is it that the author had copies of all the letters she wrote to her parents and close friends, and not a single one of their notes to her? Hmmm...artistic licence? (I used to know a woman who made photocopies of all the correspondence she sent out, but she was...odd.) By the end of the book, Sister Craig is a bit pleased with herself, acting the Lady Bountiful with her students, the porters, etc., and of course everyone loves and admires her--and tells her so! To hear her tell it, she was the only voice for change in the hospital. So very, very modest that it cost the book the fourth star.
Growing up in the 1960s in a small rural town, there were three positions that "nice" single girls trained for: secretary, nurse, or teacher. I grew up around a lot of nurses, amongst them my eldest sister, my aunt, and my notorious black-sheep Great-aunt Stel, who "specialled" geriatric cases-- and married more than one. In those days nurses dressed in white from top to toe, including tights, and the cap was all-important as by shape and stripe (if any), it told where the nurse had trained. Nowadays the severe "nursing whites" and caps are gone in favour of more patient-friendly prints and pastels--most often trousers and smocks, of which my elderly aunt strongly disapproved! "You don't know if they're nurses or the cleaning crew!" she grumbled once, but then she had been head surgical nurse in her day.
I was amazed to read that the nurses' formal training at LGI in the fifties counted up to about 3 months of actual formal instruction, with all the rest hands-on practicum, with the exception of two whole "study days" per year (what we would call today in-service training days) at which the nurses were informed of new developments in nursing! My sister had more "book learning" than that a mere 10 years later, not to mention workshops, conferences and in-service seminars galore. Of course in the past 60 years medical techniques and knowledge have come on by leaps and bounds--even in the mid-seventies a diagnosis of cancer was a death sentence, end of story, while today many people survive for decades because of improved diagnosis and treatment. But imagine treating glaucoma with leeches! or a nurse sitting around repairing rubber gloves for re-use in surgery! Even commercial sterile bandage packs, etc. were unknown then. I've never been in a UK hospital, but I can't imagine contests for the best-decorated wards at Christmas or the staff surgeon carving a turkey for the patients' dinner today, let alone daily communal prayers before the nurses start their shift! Shades of Sister Dora!
There were a couple of false notes, however. How is it that the author had copies of all the letters she wrote to her parents and close friends, and not a single one of their notes to her? Hmmm...artistic licence? (I used to know a woman who made photocopies of all the correspondence she sent out, but she was...odd.) By the end of the book, Sister Craig is a bit pleased with herself, acting the Lady Bountiful with her students, the porters, etc., and of course everyone loves and admires her--and tells her so! To hear her tell it, she was the only voice for change in the hospital. So very, very modest that it cost the book the fourth star.
December 9, 2010
This was the perfect book for me. I did my nursing training in the early 1970s but it brought back so many happy memories and some scary ones too. The day before I read the chapter mentioning the patient who had burst her abdomen I had related the same situation to my partner. Beautifully written and I will be searching for other books by this author.
February 17, 2018
Absolutely brilliant. I enjoyed every word on the pages of this book. Recommended.
September 2, 2019
Although I am not a nurse I liked the look back into the 1950s. Fortunately a lot of things have changed since then, for nurses as well as for patients. Easy reading and an interersting story.
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June 17, 2025The book was all right but it was weird when she described a specific IRA bombing that never happened. Then I found out the author is an anti-vaccine advocate. That seems strange for a nurse who, in this book, described the horrors of some vaccine-preventable diseases, such as the very intensive and invasive treatment tetanus patients required as well as the terrible suffering and death of a baby with tubercular meningitis. The hospital she trained and worked in also had a dedicated diphtheria ward.
There’s a reason we no longer need dedicated wards just for tetanus or diphtheria patients in the UK, and the reason is vaccines.
There’s a reason we no longer need dedicated wards just for tetanus or diphtheria patients in the UK, and the reason is vaccines.
July 21, 2016
An interesting account of a young, somewhat naive woman at the start of her nursing career in the north of England during the 1950's. Like others of this genre, the author attempts to personalise her memories with snippets of local slang, which some readers may find difficult to digest.
The book does indeed struggle to reach an enthralling standard. I could have picked this book up several times, left it for a few days, and then continued. Pure curiosity got the better of me, as I willed it to succeed and include some gripping stories concerning the patients and interactions with colleagues.
On a positive note, the author comes across as easygoing and kind spirited, despite the rigorous training that appears to desensitize student nurses during this era. I would have liked to see the author include more patient stories, and justify her actions about decisions she made regarding her work.
I would only recommend this book if you are incredibly willing to see past the local slang which is woven around the pages. This unfortunate aspect of the authors writing would put me off reading anything else that is published by her. Nonetheless, I applaud her for telling her story, because underneath all the layers, it is quite a fascinating one.
The book does indeed struggle to reach an enthralling standard. I could have picked this book up several times, left it for a few days, and then continued. Pure curiosity got the better of me, as I willed it to succeed and include some gripping stories concerning the patients and interactions with colleagues.
On a positive note, the author comes across as easygoing and kind spirited, despite the rigorous training that appears to desensitize student nurses during this era. I would have liked to see the author include more patient stories, and justify her actions about decisions she made regarding her work.
I would only recommend this book if you are incredibly willing to see past the local slang which is woven around the pages. This unfortunate aspect of the authors writing would put me off reading anything else that is published by her. Nonetheless, I applaud her for telling her story, because underneath all the layers, it is quite a fascinating one.
December 10, 2014
This book was recommended to me after I read the Call the Midwife trilogy by Jennifer Worth (not to be confused with the author of this book, Jennifer Craig). It is a great read IF you are interested in nursing/the history of nursing. If nursing/the history of nursing doesn't interest you, I would not recommend the book as it is very much faithful to its subject matter and does not include more than just glimpses of the author's personal life. Jennifer Craig describes her nursing training and experiences on hospital wards in Yorkshire during the 1950's, when she was a very young woman in her late teens and twenties. There are clinical descriptions in addition to anecdotes about particular patients, cases, other nurses and staff, as well as personal feelings. Some of the accounts are humorous, some are sad, and some are relayed to illustrate the way things were done at the time. I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author. (I feel that it is a real treat to listen to a book that is read by the person who wrote it and experienced the events described.) I listened to the book during my evening walks over the past several days. It was like taking a walk with an old friend after asking, "What was it like to be a nurse in the 1950's?"
June 10, 2014
I really enjoyed this book and was nostalgic about my nursing school days, especially now since I'm on a hiatus from nursing. I was very impressed by the nurses in the 1950's because it seems like they were doing everything from the work of the medtechs and nutritionists. I also felt that skills wise they really know what they are doing. Jennifer Ross is such an inspiring nurse and I hope to one day be as competent as her. There were a lot of parts that I related to and found real funny specially the 'Dragon' who in my opinion everyone as a nurse has encountered. I actually bought this book once I saw the cover because honestly this book is set in the 1950's but in the Philippines (specifically my school) we have a similar uniform until now which at times I feel is backwards and at the same time is beautiful because we maintained the tradition of the past. :)
See how the girls have the same uniform!!Haha...I really Miss my duty group :)
See how the girls have the same uniform!!Haha...I really Miss my duty group :)
February 2, 2013
I really liked this book. It took me back to the Sue Barton and Cherry Ames books of my childhood. Easy to read, with great stories. I just wish there were more books by this author.
August 31, 2019
I adored this book. A wonderful insight into the world of nursing and how things were in the 50's. Total respect for all the nursing staff and the work that they do. Every time I put this book down I couldn't wait to pick it up again. One that you want to finish but then are sorry when you do!
October 30, 2020
Loved this. My grandma was a nurse during these times so it was lovely to think she may have had similar experiences. As a nurse myself I love reading about nursing through the ages.
May 6, 2023
Every bit as good as Call The Midwife. I loved it.
July 25, 2011
Very slow starting. The naivety of Jennifer and some of the other students whilst understandable was also irritating.
Descriptions on the wards was interesting. In particular the Casualty and Surgery. Those particular sections weren't long enough for me. She graduates about half way through the book. After that it's rushed. The months go by with some letters she writes to friends and family. She goes on a midwifery course and unlike her nursing course the descriptions are almost non existent. We only understand that she hates the hospital and receives poor treatment despite being a qualified nurse.
When she goes back to Leeds there are some interesting descriptions of her time as a night Sister and then as a ward Sister. However, these sections were again short and spread out through the use of letters.
An interesting read but felt like the book itself was rushed.
Descriptions on the wards was interesting. In particular the Casualty and Surgery. Those particular sections weren't long enough for me. She graduates about half way through the book. After that it's rushed. The months go by with some letters she writes to friends and family. She goes on a midwifery course and unlike her nursing course the descriptions are almost non existent. We only understand that she hates the hospital and receives poor treatment despite being a qualified nurse.
When she goes back to Leeds there are some interesting descriptions of her time as a night Sister and then as a ward Sister. However, these sections were again short and spread out through the use of letters.
An interesting read but felt like the book itself was rushed.
July 3, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this account of the author's training to become a State Registered Nurse in the 1950s at the Leeds General Infirmary in Yorkshire, England. Although I was in nursing school in NYC during the late 60s, I could relate to some of the experiences Jennifer had, especially with her teachers. Our training was very rich in not only the clinical sciences but most importantly in direct patient experience. I am old enough to have had a chuckle at the mention of the bedpan hopper which is long out of existence! My first nursing position was on a unit with mostly British trained nurses and I loved to hear their stories too. This was a fascinating read for me and I would recommend it to nurses and others who may be interested in nursing history.
March 23, 2012
I really enjoyed this book from Jennifer Craig. She tells her story in an interesting manner, and for me it was a real page turner.
I loved how she described the characters she knew and even down to their voices, I could hear them in my head as she told the story.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this sort of genre. And anyone who is worried about medical descriptions need not worry as Jennifer does not go into graphic detail about wounds or operations.
Highly recommended - I just wish there were more nurses tales from Jennifer, she kept me entertained with her story page after page.
I loved how she described the characters she knew and even down to their voices, I could hear them in my head as she told the story.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this sort of genre. And anyone who is worried about medical descriptions need not worry as Jennifer does not go into graphic detail about wounds or operations.
Highly recommended - I just wish there were more nurses tales from Jennifer, she kept me entertained with her story page after page.
Currently reading
December 2, 2010I think this book is an amazing insight to the thoughts and processes of a student Nurse of the 1950's era. It has brought many amusing smiles, and laugh out loud moments, that I've had to share with the people sitting in the same room. I throughly enjoy the way she uses local vocabulary for the area, as it suits the story very well. The author brings the lively, exciting anxiousness to the reader through each medical procedure, and also her feeling and emotions throughout make it a book not to put down.
I can't wait for the end now - I've already read 13 chapters in 4 days!
I can't wait for the end now - I've already read 13 chapters in 4 days!
July 7, 2011
What a lovely book this is. Giving great detail of the life of a trainee nurse in the 1950s. A true story of a way of nursing long past.
Back Cover Blurb:
A trainee nurse in the 1950s had a lot to bear. In Jennifer Craig's enchanting memoir, we meet these warm-hearted yet naive young girls as they get to grips with strict discipline, long hours and bodily fluids. But we also see the camaraderie that develops in late-night study sessions, sneaked trips to the cinema and mischievous escapades with twinkly-eyed young doctors.
Back Cover Blurb:
A trainee nurse in the 1950s had a lot to bear. In Jennifer Craig's enchanting memoir, we meet these warm-hearted yet naive young girls as they get to grips with strict discipline, long hours and bodily fluids. But we also see the camaraderie that develops in late-night study sessions, sneaked trips to the cinema and mischievous escapades with twinkly-eyed young doctors.
December 27, 2012
This is a great follow-up read to Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth. In Yes Sister, No Sister young Jennifer Ross trains to be a nurse in the 1950's in Yorkshire at the Leeds General Infirmary. Those girls worked hard under, what we would consider, difficult conditions. But how wonderful it would be to have an open fireplace while at the hospital - or a Christmas tree right in the middle of everything? Despite the hard work, these trainees found ways to have fun while serving their patients with compassion and dignity.
September 5, 2014
Though the book is easy to read and well written, it wasn’t wonderful. Craig is clearly the hero of her own story and that is fine for a family history, but unless a person’s life has been amazingly interesting, it isn’t terribly gripping. I think nurses, current and former, and medical history buffs would really enjoy this book, but unlike the Midwife (Jennifer Worth) books I don’t think it has wide appeal.
For a full review visit http://ireadalotofbooks.com/yes-siste...
For a full review visit http://ireadalotofbooks.com/yes-siste...
June 5, 2012
At first I thought I wasn't going to like this book, but I kept reading and it grew on me. Think nurses who trained at that time will love and new nurses will enjoy smiling about how things have changed. As a non medical person I enjoyed reading about a time gone by and on getting half way through the book I began to relate to the main character and her colleagues.
July 11, 2012
After reading the memoir "Call the Midwife," this showed up on amazon as a recommendation as it's set in the same time-period and area, so I thought it would be interesting to read, especially as the author now lives in the area where I grew up. I did enjoy it, although I found "The Midwife" much more interesting and better-written in general.
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November 26, 2012Another book picked up to read by the pool. The 50's in England were interesting to read about, especially the role of women. The nursing at that time was also interesting in some cases to read about except when the descriptions were long. Then, I think you would have to have an interest in nursing to appreciate the detail.
September 20, 2016
This is a nice memoir written by a nurse who trained in Leeds in the early 1950s. It's interesting to read about how much has changed, yet how much is similar in the medical profession. It's very focused on nursing and interactions between nurses and doctors, and less so on the patients. It's a quick and interesting read.
January 25, 2013
Love love LOVE this book, I work in the LGI and did most of my training there do can really identity with this book. A dear midwife I know lent me this book and I loved all of it. It helps me feel the history in the hospital I work in. A definite 5 stars from me.
May 10, 2013
Set in my local area, this memoir follows Jennifer Craig as she starts training as a nurse and then on into her career. I have been unable to put this book down each time I have read it, loving her wit and humour and the warmth that she uses as she writes about her career.
July 12, 2013
This was a good book for certain. For some reason I'm fascinated with auto/biographies written about nurses, midwives or doctors from earlier times. Some of my most favorite are the 1900s to 1950s, especially in other countries.
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