
Perched Like Doves
The Story of a Student Nurse in the East End of London 1959-1962
Greta Barnes(Author)
Troubador Publishing
Published on 28. November 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-78901-551-5 (ISBN)
Description
Perched Like Doves follows the experience of a student nurse as she takes on hospital life at St Bartholomew's Hospital (Barts) in a bygone age when nurses still wore traditional uniforms and pretty caps; Matron was the matriarch, the Sisters (all single women) were the lynchpin of the hospital, the senior doctors were always addressed as `sir' and the medical students were male.
Only one out of every ten young women applicants to the hospital were accepted for training, the hours were long and arduous and the feet always painful. Nevertheless, the story is full of genuine laugh- out- loud moments and heart- rending tales of bravery as well as stories tinged with trauma and tragedy although there was still time for romance.
Based on Greta Barnes's diary kept throughout her training and fully illustrated, Perched Like Doves is an honest appreciation showing the camaraderie of hospital life and the sense of a close-knit community. It is a reminder of the gentler days before the turmoil of the National Health Service, the advent of modern technology and the introduction of the degree nurse of a time which has changed beyond measure.
Only one out of every ten young women applicants to the hospital were accepted for training, the hours were long and arduous and the feet always painful. Nevertheless, the story is full of genuine laugh- out- loud moments and heart- rending tales of bravery as well as stories tinged with trauma and tragedy although there was still time for romance.
Based on Greta Barnes's diary kept throughout her training and fully illustrated, Perched Like Doves is an honest appreciation showing the camaraderie of hospital life and the sense of a close-knit community. It is a reminder of the gentler days before the turmoil of the National Health Service, the advent of modern technology and the introduction of the degree nurse of a time which has changed beyond measure.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Market Harborough
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78901-551-5 (9781789015515)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Greta Barnes MBE SRN was the Founder/Director of the charity now known as Education for Health, until her retirement in 2001. She has written several books, lectured worldwide and appeared on various television networks. She lives in the Cotswolds with her husband and has a large close family.