The Nurses

A Year of Secrets, Drama, and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital

By: Alexandra Robbins

Narrated by: Alexandra Robbins

Nursing is more than a career; it's a calling and one of the most important, fascinating, and dangerous professions in the world. As the frontline responders battling traumas, illnesses, and aggression from surprising sources, nurses are remarkable. Yet contemporary literature largely neglects them.

In The Nurses, New York Times best-selling author and award-winning journalist Alexandra Robbins peers behind the staff-only door to write a lively, fast-paced story and a riveting work of investigative journalism. Robbins followed real-life nurses in four hospitals and interviewed hundreds of others in a captivating audiobook filled with joy and violence, miracles and heartbreak, dark humor and narrow victories, gripping drama and unsung heroism.

Alexandra Robbins creates sympathetic, engaging characters while diving deep into their world of controlled chaos - the hazing ("nurses eat their young"); sex (not exactly like on TV, but it happens more often than you think); painkiller addiction (disproportionately a problem among the best and brightest); and bullying (by doctors, patients, and others). The result is a riveting story possessing all the twists and turns of a brilliantly told narrative - and a shocking, unvarnished examination of our health care system.

©2015 Alexandra Robbins (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"...a detailed, sympathetic, and eye-opening portrait of how nurses work, deal with stresses, and fulfill their mission of serving patients.... An insightful perspective on the realities of crucial health care providers." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"A funny, intimate & often jaw-dropping account of life behind the scenes." ( People)

"After interviewing hundreds, Robbins narrowed her focus to the personal narratives of four nurses.... Their stories are compelling in every way." ( BookPage)

Great inspiration on long drives to clinical

Great listen.
There's a lot of politics and real life problems discussed here that we don't hear about in school. I hate that they call male nurses Murses though, like honestly why separate us?

Riveting!

This book is outstanding. Once you start it, you won't want to stop listening, so be forewarned. Robbins does an excellent job of surveying important aspects of the daily dynamics of being a nurse while also following the specifics of certain nurses throughout the book which give the book continuity and a personal touch. This was the most interesting book in this genre that I've read or listened to without having to result to forced humor or overly dramatized medical details to hold the reader's attention.

Great book! Great narration!

I really enjoyed listening to this book. In a way, it felt like being a fly on the wall. I’ve always wondered what really goes on behind the scenes in hospitals and now I feel I have a true understanding, for better or worse. I also feel more educated about my own and my loved ones need for advocacy.

Alexandra is a great narrator, and that helps make it even better. She has so much emotion in how she reads, you stay constantly engaged.

Overall, a very well done book…informative, educational, and still so fun! Highly recommend it!

a greater respect and appreciation

a great inside to the world of nurses although a bit redundant at times. this would be great for spouses and or family of nurses

Amazing!

True to life scenarios and situations in the life of a nurse. I totally connected with this uplifting read with many personal parallels . Will definitely re-listen and recommend to ALL of my nursing family.

Loved This!

This is a very informative and interesting look at the lives of nurses and hospitals. I really enjoyed it and would recommend to all who are interested in the nursing field!

Great for understanding!

My wife is a registered nurse and many times I’m not able to understand a lot of her struggles. This book helps me gain a lot of understanding about the life she lives when we’re not together

Very good book!

I really enjoyed this book. It could've had more stories of people that went to the ER but overall it was a good listen. Highly recommend it for new aspiring nurses.

Loved it!

I loved this book. There are so many great points. Excellent book. Definitely a must read for any medical professional.

Mostly on Point

What made the experience of listening to The Nurses the most enjoyable?

I am a nurse, so I am able to relate to many of the stories and scenarios. The focus is on emergency department care, which is a very specific nursing discipline.

Any additional comments?

Note to readers and author. Please don't use the term "MURSE". Men who are nurses are not Murses. They are Nurses. Nobody says Murse. I think maybe the author heard it said one or two times in her life and thought it was a standard. It is not. Murse is just stupid.