What I Wish I Knew about Nursing

A moving and often hilarious collection of nurses reflections on their incredible profession created by asking an amazing selection of nurses 'If you could go back and give your younger self once piece of advice about nursing, what would it be?'

Author Allie Wilson is a Registered Nurse who burnt out herself, so she understands how nurses often need a dose of inspiration. She says 'I gathered together a book full of all the advice I wish I'd had when it all got too much for me. I interviewed over 200 nurses, from all backgrounds and from all over the world, and the result is the perfect book to give to the nurse in your life - or yourself!

This book is perfect for nurses because:

Nurses give so much to patients but who looks after them?
I think it's time someone thought about caring for the carers themselves. And who better than a bunch of wonderful nurses?

Nurses are always busy:
Sadly we nurses rarely have time to sit down with a nice, quiet cuppa (or a glass of red!) and read. So this book is full of amazing nurses giving short, powerful quotes that will inspire, touch your heart and often make you laugh out loud.

Nurses are often incredibly tired:
My book is profound and moving, but also funny and easy to read. Next to the advice each nurse would give to their younger selves, there is a photo of them in their younger days - complete with the early nursing uniform with mandatory cape, gloves and 'flying nun' hats. This makes the book really fun to dip into when you need for a boost.

No one else understands what nurses do:
There are already too many text books, white papers and managers telling us how we 'should' nurse, but I thought it was time to give real nurses a chance to express, in their own words, how much the profession means to them.

"It made me laugh and almost cry! Congratulations, and thank you. This is just what nursing needs.

Liz Spaull, National Workforce Planning & Development Manager, Ramsay Health Care


"I love this book, it makes me cry every time I read it. No matter how old you are and how long you have been nursing for, all the stories feel so relevant today.. all the messages from all these amazing nurses touched my heart and remind me why I decided to become a nurse. Thank you for this amazing book."

Paula Lambert, AIN


"Like having a mentor in your pocket or on your coffee table and should be required reading for anyone thinking of joining the profession."

Review in The College of Nursing magazine,



"What a wonderful, wonderful book! What I Wish I Knew about Nursing should be on every student nurses booklist. It’s insightful, honest and tells it exactly how it is. It’s brilliant!"

Sandi Waters-Lewis, RN