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Matron Knows Best
Joan Woodcock always dreamed of becoming a nurse. And in 1966 the dream came true. From her very first day as a naive sixteen-year-old cadet, standing nervously outside Matron's office, this is Joan's story of an eventful career spanning forty years in the NHS. Working on hospital wards, casualty units and out in the community, as well as stints in a prison and a police unit dealing with sexual assault, Joan has seen it all. In this moving memoir she gives an honest, revealing account of a challenging, unpredictable and ultimately rewarding life in nursing. From an early encounter with a horrific axe injury, to the patient who swallowed their suppositories, to daily dealings with difficult patients and all kinds of bodily fluids, Joan shares memories of laughter and tragedy, and of the now defunct matron system that at one time instilled nurses with such high standards of professionalism and patient care.
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
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65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 9, 2016
I admit that I’m not the biggest fan of autobiographies. However, I was willing to give this one a go. After all, I needed one for my genre challenge – plus it sounded like an interesting one.
Unfortunately, it was extremely hard to get through. There were many interesting tales shared, yet the story telling prevented me from finding myself fully engaged. It read as fact telling, which I know it to be, but without much by way of emotion added. As it was someone’s real experiences, I’d expected to be a lot more emotional that it was.
It was interesting, but it was unable to keep me captivated.
Unfortunately, it was extremely hard to get through. There were many interesting tales shared, yet the story telling prevented me from finding myself fully engaged. It read as fact telling, which I know it to be, but without much by way of emotion added. As it was someone’s real experiences, I’d expected to be a lot more emotional that it was.
It was interesting, but it was unable to keep me captivated.
October 28, 2020
Not for the snowflakes or millennials!
Us slightly older generation will enjoy this book and the true its tales of how life used to be and, yes, it was better.
Us slightly older generation will enjoy this book and the true its tales of how life used to be and, yes, it was better.
April 13, 2025
This was an average non-fiction read for me. It was okay writing, a bit basic but did have some emotional and funny stories dotted throughout.
I did feel like the book didn’t flow as well as it could have and it felt like a collection of short stories at some points throughout the book.
I wasn’t a fan of the author being fatphobic and letting the reader know about every patient that was obese or ‘a whale’ as there was no need for it. There was also an unnecessary mini section about ‘transexuals’ which is an outdated term.
Overall, an okay read that did have some enjoyable bits as well as its issues.
I did feel like the book didn’t flow as well as it could have and it felt like a collection of short stories at some points throughout the book.
I wasn’t a fan of the author being fatphobic and letting the reader know about every patient that was obese or ‘a whale’ as there was no need for it. There was also an unnecessary mini section about ‘transexuals’ which is an outdated term.
Overall, an okay read that did have some enjoyable bits as well as its issues.
August 10, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. As a retired nurse starting my career back in the early seventies it bought back so many memories of how nursing used to be. Less paperwork, more empathetic nursing, learning on the job and caring. I never had a degree but through my work, skills and experience reached a high grade in the nursing profession and remember some really good and not so good times. My personal opinion is that many potentially brilliant nurses could become qualified nurses if they didn’t have to do a degree. Missed opportunities in such a shortage occupation/vocation.
June 10, 2017
Time taken to read - just under 1 day
Pages - 368
Publisher - Headline Review
Blurb from Goodreads
Joan Woodcock always dreamed of becoming a nurse, and in 1966 the dream came true. From her very first day as a naive 16-year-old cadet, standing nervously outside the matron's office, this is Joan's story of an eventful career spanning over 40 years in NHS nursing.
My Review
Joan takes us back to 1966, a fresh cadet in nursing spanning over a 40 year career with some opinions on how nursing has changed along the way, for better or worse.
I love these kind of books, anything to do with nursing, the NHS, real life stories with real people and experiences. Nursing has changed so much over the years and it is so interesting to read real accounts of someones career, experiences with people and the change of the times. Joan introduces us to a health service when the matron was very much around and the dynamics of healthcare differed from today. Joan's thoughts and feelings on some of the changes come through in some parts of the book.
The book takes us through the different places Woodcock has worked in, the happiness and frustrations she found in the different areas. She worked in an area that deals specifically with sexual assaults which may make for hard reading for some readers. It does not go into graphic details however it is distressing at points and worth highlighting as some readers appreciate a heads up. I found it hard to put down at times because healthcare, real life & nursing is something I find fascinating especially when things vary so much to modern treatments. 4/5 for me this time, I would certainly read more by this author. Easy to get into and written with a passion that carries the reader along.
Pages - 368
Publisher - Headline Review
Blurb from Goodreads
Joan Woodcock always dreamed of becoming a nurse, and in 1966 the dream came true. From her very first day as a naive 16-year-old cadet, standing nervously outside the matron's office, this is Joan's story of an eventful career spanning over 40 years in NHS nursing.
My Review
Joan takes us back to 1966, a fresh cadet in nursing spanning over a 40 year career with some opinions on how nursing has changed along the way, for better or worse.
I love these kind of books, anything to do with nursing, the NHS, real life stories with real people and experiences. Nursing has changed so much over the years and it is so interesting to read real accounts of someones career, experiences with people and the change of the times. Joan introduces us to a health service when the matron was very much around and the dynamics of healthcare differed from today. Joan's thoughts and feelings on some of the changes come through in some parts of the book.
The book takes us through the different places Woodcock has worked in, the happiness and frustrations she found in the different areas. She worked in an area that deals specifically with sexual assaults which may make for hard reading for some readers. It does not go into graphic details however it is distressing at points and worth highlighting as some readers appreciate a heads up. I found it hard to put down at times because healthcare, real life & nursing is something I find fascinating especially when things vary so much to modern treatments. 4/5 for me this time, I would certainly read more by this author. Easy to get into and written with a passion that carries the reader along.
September 6, 2017
The nursey bits were pretty interesting, if rather dully written: the style was kind of lower high school-essay level; naive, pedantic and unimaginative. I had little to no interest whatsoever in the snippets of her personal life. While I am sure she was a great nurse, as a person she sounded, quite frankly, a colossal pain in the arse.
May 25, 2022
Actually 2.5
Attention Betty Neels fans! This is the nonfiction background to her doctor-nurse romances.
About two-thirds of the book is gripping; then my interest dropped off a little.
Read May 2022
Attention Betty Neels fans! This is the nonfiction background to her doctor-nurse romances.
About two-thirds of the book is gripping; then my interest dropped off a little.
Read May 2022
March 21, 2025
Well-written and interesting. Some parts were revolting and scarring to read however knowing the author was an actual nurse, I realize she mayn't have realized the psychological damage to some of us. Otherwise, I was marveling at how far medicine and science have progressed just since the 1960's.
September 17, 2017
If there's one book that anyone wishing to pursue a career in nursing should read, it's this one! Well written, brutally honest, and takes the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions.
April 26, 2020
Excellent! A humorous and often poignant read from a retired nurse showing how excellent our NHS is- particularly relevant in these uncertain times. A vocation and not just a job.
October 14, 2020
Very enjoyable book.
April 25, 2024
Interesting non fiction about nursing but very real and emotional.
March 18, 2025
I loved this book. As a health care assistant I loved reading all the nursing stuff. Wonderful book. Just loved it.
September 3, 2025
As a junior nurse myself it was lovely to read through the STN days and realise how far I've come myself within my career. Good book, hope we can sustain the core values of nursing 💪
January 25, 2025
Super informative and great read hearing about the authors stories of working in the NHS. She talks a lot about her time training and passion for nursing and it's interesting to follow along with her career. A good read for those interested in going into a medical career or with experience in that area already.
Some reviews I have seen criticised the writing however I feel she was open about her struggles in education and therefore think it is apt that she has written it in a way that reflects who she is and don't feel it takes away from her story at all.
Well worth a read.
Some reviews I have seen criticised the writing however I feel she was open about her struggles in education and therefore think it is apt that she has written it in a way that reflects who she is and don't feel it takes away from her story at all.
Well worth a read.
June 16, 2013
As a nurse I could really relate to a lot of what Joan Woodcock expressed in her frustrations with the NHS and nursing profession today. I did enjoy the book but found I could not warm to the author or maybe it was her writing style. I don't know if I would recommend it to friends I am still undecided
June 8, 2012
Joan woodcock wanted to be a nurse ever since she had a spell in hospital as a young child.
She started her career as a nursing cadet (which you then could do)
It is a true story of her career working through the profession.
A very enjoyable well written book.
She started her career as a nursing cadet (which you then could do)
It is a true story of her career working through the profession.
A very enjoyable well written book.
January 20, 2013
My mum passed this book on - I'm not sure I would have chosen it from the library but it was an interesting read. Joan had a fascinating range of jobs and her care and commitment to her patients is commendable. I always knew nurses worked hard - this book shows it.
April 29, 2016
i was given this book by my mum after she'd finished with it. i really liked Joan's easy style of writing and the way she described her training and nursing work. she talks with openness and compassion the way her career went and about some of the people she met both patients and staff.
June 21, 2016
Oh I laughed and laughed. Even the sadder stories I could see the joy in the supporting environment. Definetly must read don't read it in bed next to your partner you'll keep them awake when you LOL.
December 7, 2011
Dull, couldn't get past the second chapter
February 1, 2012
i just loved this book and would recommend this to anyone a real must read
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews