When I Die I'm Going to Heaven 'Cause I've Spent My Time in Hell

A Memoir of My Year As an Army Nurse in Vietnam

By: Barbara Hesselman Kautz MSN RN

Narrated by: Janet Metzger

Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

When she was 18, she joined the army to finance her nursing education.

With less than six months of nursing experience, she was assigned to the 24th Evacuation Hospital in South Vietnam.

True tales of the war that are by turns horrifying and humorous, told with an eye for detail, by a woman who was in the thick of it.

©2013 Barbara Hesselman Kautz, MSN, RN (P)2019 Tantor

Engaging setting and story

I enjoyed Hesselman's story and life experience, and especially having insight into the Vietnam War era from one who was in country. I would have given it a higher rating if the narrator chosen had been younger, I felt like I was listening to my grandmother telling a story. It was distracting to have an older woman's voice, however capable, narrating a story about young adults. If the narrator had been livelier and youthful, I think it would have pulled the listener into the story's struggles, pain, parties and drama in a much more engaging manner.

Otherwise, it was a good 6 hours of listening.

Another Viet nam hero

Having a background in health care and having served, I appreciated the telling of her experience. I have respect for all who served in Vietnam and did what they could. Would recommend.

Loved this

I am a little younger than Barbara and am also an RNMSN. I taught nursing and worked ER . I have a small idea of what she experienced. I had a close friend who was in ADAC. It was horrible too. She passed last year from a bad heart.
You are heroes for sure!
Nancy MSNRN

Compelling narrative of life as a nurse in Viet Nam

This is a story that needs to be told, wars are still being fought and medical treatments necessary but effects on care givers is overlooked.
The narrative seemed bland when describing more intense situations but the anecdotes about life outside of the hospital are priceless.

Great book!

I really enjoyed this book. The author graduated from nursing school one year before me although I did not join the military. Many of the things she talked about are outdated and no longer done, however, I remember them well! The story bears some similarities to M*A*S*H but focuses more on the day-to-day experiences of the nurses. I highly recommend it even if you aren't in the medical field.

A Nurses 1 yr tour in Vietnam

I ♥️♥️♥️ed this book. Although the closest I’ve come to being in the medical profession was a Dental Asst. Shows like Trauma in the ER & Dr. G Medical Examiner have always fascinated me. So did this audiobook. I found it very well written & narrated giving me a peek into the life of a nurse in the military practicing in Vietnam.

Intrigued by this chapter in our history!

This kept me engaged the whole time I listened. Was amazing to hear about the women who made a difference during the Vietnam war, and the way doctors & nurses had to persevere even through horrible times. They often treated more than just the soldiers fighting on our side. It’s a very good listen!

What a great story

I loved this adventure- filled with equal measures of sadness and hope. What a wonderful story. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.