• I Wasn't Strong Like This When I Started Out

  • True Stories of Becoming a Nurse
  • By: Lee Gutkind
  • Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
  • Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (734 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
I Wasn't Strong Like This When I Started Out  By  cover art

I Wasn't Strong Like This When I Started Out

By: Lee Gutkind
Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.47

Buy for $15.47

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

I Wasn't Strong Like This When I Started Out, a collection of true narratives, reflects the dynamism and diversity of nurses who provide the first vital line of patient care. Here, nurses remember their first "sticks", first births, and first deaths and reflect on what gets them though long, demanding shifts and keeps them in the profession.

The stories reveal many voices from nurses at different stages of their careers: One nurse-in-training longs to be trusted with more "important" procedures while another questions her ability to care for nursing home residents. An efficient young emergency room nurse finds his life and career irrevocably changed by a car accident. A nurse practitioner wonders whether she has violated professional boundaries in her care for a homeless man with AIDS. And a home-care case manager is the sole attendee at a funeral for one of her patients.

What connects these stories is the passion and strength of the writers who struggle against burnout and bureaucracy to serve their patients with skill, empathy, and strength.

©2013 Creative Nonfiction Foundation (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Beautifully written stories." (Booklist)

"Tavia Gilbert’s narration of these essays written by nurses is beautiful and profound.... Gilbert translates all the emotions, including fear, gallows humor, gratitude, and empathy." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about I Wasn't Strong Like This When I Started Out

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    459
  • 4 Stars
    183
  • 3 Stars
    53
  • 2 Stars
    21
  • 1 Stars
    18
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    417
  • 4 Stars
    143
  • 3 Stars
    60
  • 2 Stars
    13
  • 1 Stars
    14
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    426
  • 4 Stars
    146
  • 3 Stars
    42
  • 2 Stars
    17
  • 1 Stars
    13

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A nurse must read!

Great narrator, this keeps all books flowing. Good experiences, very true to the profession. from my 27 year experience. Gotta Love it😘😷

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Kept my interest

I do not work in the medical field, yet hold those that do in the highest regard. This book kept my interest. It was fascinating to hear so many nursing perspectives - from a mercy ship to pediatrics.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

All the different seemed to have a negative outlook or outcome disappointed with. This book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great short stories about nursing

Loved it! Great short stories from a nurse's perspective! Very ingesting to see it from the other side.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

amazing!

I'm just ahvac tech, who's life has been touched by a nurse of and on in my life God bless you all.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Was not able to read it

Any additional comments?

Started great and I think I will be great listen but I would never know. This was little too much for me, I too faint hearted for this. Some of the stories are little hard to bear.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional compilation of nurses' stories!

I have been an RN and an NP for ten years collectively, and every one of these nurses' stories resonated with me! This compilation has inspired me during a time in my career when I'm at a loss as to what to do next. Thank you so much for sharing!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Review of I wasn't strong like this when I fist started

As a nurse for more than 34 yrs, I totally related to this book!
I enjoyed every minute! The stories were real & engaging

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Al
  • 04-13-18

RNs will enjoy this book

I could relate to this book as could most nurses because of the honest and insightful way it was written. Anyone who is considering going into the nursing profession may want to read this book. It is well written.
I am a retired RN and I can relate to many of these experiences.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Book about emotional perspective

Any additional comments?

This book is about the emotional struggles of nurses; if that's your thing, you will enjoy this. I, however, did not. It is still a good book, however, and I think this would be an important book for anyone who is a nurse, or has a nurse in their family.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful