It Won't Hurt a Bit
What can you tell us about your new book It Won’t Hurt A Bit! and It Shouldn't Happen to a Midwife!?
It Won’t Hurt A Bit! and It Shouldn't Happen to a Midwife! are light-hearted reflections of my experience of nursing in the 60s when I spent some time looking for the Swinging bit of them, without I'm sad to say, a great deal of success. Instead I found huge fun and mischief with a group of young light hearted student nurses whilst getting training. Both general and midwifery gave a wonderful insight into the human mostly inspiring condition with strict ward sisters ensuring high professional standards.
Why did you want to become a nurse?
The first chapter in It Won’t Hurt A Bit! deals with this question. It's to do with nosebleeds and me being better at dealing with them than school work.
You worked as a district use and a midwife, so did you have a preference between the two?
I preferred being a district nurse because of the variety the work gave.
What is the biggest difference between nursing in the 60s to now?
The biggest difference that I see, is that many of the practical aspects that we were taught are now redundant. Medicine has made such strides! And as far as I know, ward sisters aren't called that any more. Anyway it seems that everybody calls you by your first name and begins to get worried if you ask for their surname. Cleanliness is no longer worshipped. A pity!
What made you want to tell your story?
I'd been involved with my late sister in putting together some articles written by our mother to put together a book. Leaning on a Gate (My sister was suffering from motor neurone disease so we'd limited time. She died knowing that the book was a success and the royalties going to the M.N.D assos.) I'd liked putting the words together process and as I was retiring, decided to see if I could, and thanks to dear Black and White Publishing, did.
What was the hardest challenge to overcome while training?
I think the hardest challenge was dealing with the unknown. Patients come in many different packagings, with every layer showing a different aspect of their character. Privilege to be part of their lives but awesome in a nurse's responsibility to it.
Which patient sticks with you the most?
I suppose so many patients live on in my mind, that they seem to have taken up residence there but I reckon the one I speak about most is a Mrs Henderson who I met when district nurse training in Edinburgh. My new book, Call me Sister tells her story.
What advice can you give to any nurses just about to start now?
I'd say to any nurse starting that looking at the patient is better than checking them on a computer screen!
What is the best thing about being a nurse?
The best thing about being is a nurse is seeing the very best of people coping with extraordinary challenges in a matter of fact way. The human race is inspiring- and nurses can see that first hand.
What is next for you?
Next thing for me is a long cup of tea and a blether with my neighbour. Then I might finish a Scottish- flavoured kids' book.