A Nurse’s Story: My Life in A&E During the Covid Crisis
£5.90£10.40 (-43%)
Moving, honest and inspiring – this is a nurse’s true story of life in a busy A&E department during the Covid-19 crisis.
Working in A&E is a challenging job but nurse Louise Curtis loves it. She was newly qualified as an advanced clinical practitioner, responsible for life or death decisions about the patients she saw, when the unthinkable happened and the country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The stress on the NHS was huge and for the first time in her life, the job was going to take a toll on Louise herself.
In A Nurse’s Story she describes what happened next, as the trickle of Covid patients became a flood. And just as tragically, staff in A&E were faced with the effects of lockdown on society. They worried about their regulars, now missing, and saw an increase in domestic abuse victims and suicide attempts as loneliness hit people hard. By turns heartbreaking and heartwarming, this book shines a light on the compassion and dedication of hospital staff during such dark times.
‘An important memoir that we all need to read right now.’ – Closer
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Additional information
| Publisher | Main Market edition (1 Oct. 2020), Pan |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 288 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1529058937 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1529058932 |
| Reading age | 18 years and up |
| Dimensions | 13 x 1.78 x 19.71 cm |
by Chantelle Pokai
Great book getting the point of view from nurses during this pandemic and general life in A&E. Makes you extremely grateful to have the NHS and all the hard working nurses doing their best. Key takeaway for me I realised Everyone trusts and talks on doctors, we’re quick to forget what a nurse is capable of and how much work they do!
Next time something urgent happens I’ll definitely be yelling out ‘is anyone is a nurse?’ first haha
by Toby Bonney
Covid has been difficult for everyone. Whether directly impacted through a lost friend/relative or catching yourself, or simply through the necessary psychological trauma which came through social isolation and distancing, there’s nobody that can say that it hasn’t been a difficult 12-18 months.
What has been a blessing to some is that we’ve been able to work remotely (if we were fortunate to keep our roles) and stay within our own safety levels. By contrast there are those that have been out in the front line in all levels of the NHS or other key services.
This book addresses just one part of the NHS front line, offering insights and stories from the A&E Department at one of our hospitals. It covers the spread of Covid, how it impacted the ward, a plethora of cases, whilst simultaneously also sharing anecdotes about non-Covid cases and the interlinking stories that capture a day in the life of the Department.
Told in an easily digestible, albeit emotionally challenging (it took me 6 months to return to the book after purchase due to the subject matter and a need to be in the right frame of mind) manner, this book covers the life of an A&E Nurse from the start of the pandemic through to the end of the first wave.
You come away feeling that you know the nurse (especially when you listen to her read the audible version, complete with obvious heart-felt emotions at some points), and you find yourself wondering what they did next. What do they think about the second wave, the subsequent relaxing of rules, the impending legalisation of hugs (who ever thought THAT would be a thing??), etc.
Reading the other reviews, there are some 1-stars which claim it is self-indulgent. I can’t agree with that. Yes, it is told from one viewpoint, one key worker. That works though. it gives the book a personable feel and helps you to relate to one of the many invaluable members of our beloved NHS. If it was simply a collection of facts or anecdotes from multiple people, it would lose something.
Quick side note: I did a google search of Sarah Johnson after reading this and for those that want to hear more front line stories and worry that this is an one-sided experience, it looks like this journalist has been interviewing and hearing from health care professionals for the Guardian for a number of years. The fact that she chose to write about this one particular individual is testament to the honesty and insights provided by the nurse in question.
I highly recommend reading/listening to this when you’re in the right frame of mind. It’s an important book which helps us to understand and reflect on a turbulant time in our lives.
P.S. Thank you to Louise and all those that have been involved within the NHS and other key services during these Covid times. Your hard work, diligence and bravery are amazing. The country owes you all a debt of gratitude.
by Mrs. L. J. Burgess
Really enjoyed reading this book. Great insight to A & E during the pandemic.
Definitely worth reading and thanks all all NHS staff
by Katie Bass
Anybody who doubts the severity of the pandemic or who has been flouting the rules as they don’t think they apply to them, you need to read this. I felt the book focused too much on the authors personal life, I would have liked to read more about the patients
by Debbie
A book that shows how Brave and hard working the N H S staff worked in covid how kind and understanding thay are thay gave all thay had and more I am glad this book available so people can see what a great NHS we have
by Glynis Amy Allen
I am a retired Nurse who myself is the author of two Spiritual books.I enjoyed this book immensely I could relate with her vulnerability and frustration. The never ending list of deaths keep occurring knowing we have done everything we could for the patient .I believe you have to be a very special person to be a Nurse and this comes over in the book Well Done
by Sarah
A truly fascinating insight into the day to day running of A&E both in the run-up to Covid and during the crisis. This book is a stark reminder of how amazing our NHS staff really are. The writer doesn’t hold back on details, which at times can be quite graphic and not an easy read, but the information is vital to understanding the immense pressure the doctors and nursing staff go through daily. I’ve always felt immensely grateful for the NHS, but since the Covid crisis I cannot find the words to describe my appreciation. Amazing book, everyone should read it.
by Mrs T
As a medically retired Advanced Nurse Practitioner this gives a great insight into an a a and e dept coping with the usual hard sometimes under rates under appreciated work they do.How they are having to try and cope with the Ezra work caused by the pandemic. As the author said it’s not casualty on TV….car from it.If this book does nothing else hopefully it will show how some people either aren’t taking the disease seriously or don’t understand what they should be doing to save their lives and others.