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Get Well Soon! My (un)Brilliant Career As A Nurse

Kristy Chambers

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Jun 02, 2013 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it

Shelves: nonfiction

Despite the pile of books of have awaiting review when I spotted this book on the new acquisitions shelf at my library I couldn't resist. In Get Well Soon!, Kristy Chambers shares both the good and bad of her '(un)Brilliant Career As A Nurse'.

It is unrealistic to ascribe a saintly demeanor to nurses yet it is a societal perception that lingers beyond the legend of Florence Nightingale. Many may be shocked by Kirsty Chambers frank admissions of a career chosen by default rather than passion and h ...more

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Oct 07, 2012 Kathryn rated it liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, australian-authors

I enjoyed reading this, especially from the viewpoint of a fellow health professional. However, I was disappointed by the crudity of the language, although I do understand that this is how the author speaks. She makes the comment at one point that she restrains her language at work, and as a reader, I would have appreciated the same courtesy as she extends to her patients. One of her main jobs is working as a drug and alcohol nurse and I suspect she enjoys this work because she can empathise wit I enjoyed reading this, especially from the viewpoint of a fellow health professional. However, I was disappointed by the crudity of the language, although I do understand that this is how the author speaks. She makes the comment at one point that she restrains her language at work, and as a reader, I would have appreciated the same courtesy as she extends to her patients. One of her main jobs is working as a drug and alcohol nurse and I suspect she enjoys this work because she can empathise with her patients, since she sounds like a bit of a rough diamond herself.

Also disappointing was her attitude of resentment at having to work for a living - she states this in the beginning and it is more or less present throughout the book. I understand that she tells her audience this to explain her ambivalence toward nursing, but seriously - we all need to work to pay the bills! I totally sympathise with being in a job you don't like and the short professional attention span (enjoying a job for 12 months or so and then getting frustrated with it), but the author's continual complaints did get a bit draining, especially in the beginning (maybe I got used to it after a while!). We are also treated to an account of the authors own alcohol and cigarette abuse - to drown out the sorrows of working in the nursing profession.

This book had its humourous moments and its horrendous moments (the treatment described for cervical cancer springs to mind as an example of the latter). Having worked in a hospital, there are things that sound very familiar, although the author has certainly seen a bit more of life than I have - and there are some things I'm glad not to have seen!

Overall, I did enjoy this book, but I think this book had greater potential than was actually realised, which is always a little sad. The bare bones were good, but I think they could have been fleshed out better. I would have enjoyed this read much more if there had been less foul language, less attitude and less description of the author's alcohol use. ...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Marianela rated it liked it

Very funny. Too much ...alcohol and drug stuff, after all that is her main job....a good read....in the comfort of ur own home...

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Aug 19, 2012 tee marked it as to-read

Shelves: first-reads

Aug 22, 2012 Cass marked it as giveaways-to-read

Sep 27, 2012 Ceri rated it liked it

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