Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs

The Making of a Surgeon

By: Michael J. Collins MD

Narrated by: John Pruden

It looked for a while like Michael Collins would spend his life breaking concrete and throwing rocks for the Vittorio Scalese Construction Company. He liked the work and he liked the pay. But a chance remark by one of his coworkers made him realize that he wanted to involve himself in something bigger, something more meaningful than crushing rocks and drinking beer.

In his acclaimed first memoir, Hot Lights, Cold Steel, Collins wrote passionately about his four-year surgical residency at the prestigious Mayo Clinic. Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs turns back the clock, taking listeners from his days as a construction worker to his entry into medical school, expertly infusing his journey to become a doctor with humanity, compassion, and humor. From the first time he delivers a baby to being surrounded by death and pain on a daily basis, Collins compellingly writes about how medicine makes him confront, in a very deep and personal way, the nature of God and suffering - and how delicate life can be.

©2009 Michael J. Collins, M.D. (P)2018 Tantor

Profoundly Motivational

This is one of the best book I have come upon that was both entertaining and motivational for anyone looking to become a doctor but may not be in the ideal situation. This memoir shows how it can be achievable

Loved this!

Excellent story, narrator and writing. Stories so relatable that you can't help but feel as though you are listening to a close friend over a few beers. The medical community is better for young doctors like this one.

excellent

a very captivating accounting that made you feel like you were there the whole way.

Very realistic

I like this book’s content and narrative. The author did a fantastic job relaying the story of his journey to medicine in a way that is inspiring and motivating for many people.

Amazing

I read his other book “hot lights, cold steel” and loved it so I read this book. I love love love his books. Engaging, informative, inspiring, funny, humble. Would recommend to anyone, especially anyone in/interested in medicine.

Really enjoyed

I’ve enjoyed both books by Dr Collins. Entertaining and funny. Both books are great stories of a blue collar guy and his journey both before medical school and during.

Awesome journey !

This is an inspiring journey of a doctor in the making. Well written. Makes you laugh and cry.

Inspirational!

I love everything from the narrator to the entire story of how a man who wanted more for himself, but most importantly put in the work, faith and confidence that he to can succeed in a dream that became reality!

good listen. really enjoyed

Dr. Collins and his family are a joy to read. the comedy and realness were appreciated.

Excellent Book

The honesty of Dr.Collin’s struggles to get into Med School and being a med student. The pages of the book come “alive” so in your minds eye you can see him throwing rocks or sitting at the bedside with the pediatric patient, the baby with burns looking up at him during the IV restart.
As a retired nurse I highly recommend this book to anyone considering going into medical school or nursing school. Yes times have changed and the use of “dummies” are used instead of real patients in most cases but hopefully teaching hospitals are still there. Interns and residents are not on call as many hours, hospital nursing schools are a thing of the past but those trained in those days past are still some of the best experiences we had.
Thank you for sharing Dr. Collins
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