fiction books about nursing homes

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10 Great Novels Featuring Nurses

This article was republished with permission from SCRUBS Magazine.

One great way to escape the pressures and stresses of nursing school or work is to read a great novel.

These literary works, featuring nurses and healthcare facilities, will provide you with a much-needed dose of fun and fantasy while reminding you why you chose the profession in the first place.

So if you want to reignite your passion for nursing or just spend a wonderful evening kicking back, check out one of these amazing novels.

• The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje. This prize-winning novel was made into a prize-winning movie, but that doesn’t mean the literary version still isn’t worth checking out. In it, readers will find a story about four entangled lives during the last weeks of WWII. At the center of the drama is the mysterious English patient, being cared for by nurse Hana, whose memories slowly reveal a tale of love, betrayal and redemption.
• A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway. If you’ve never read this literary classic, it’s never too late to start. Set in WWII, the story follows a young soldier named Henry, based loosely on Hemingway’s own wartime experiences. When he becomes injured, he finds himself falling for the elusive nurse Catherine, a complicated and tragic figure. If you’re looking for happy endings, this might not be a good choice, but if you want a moving portrayal of men and women coming to terms with life, both the good and the bad, then pick up this read.
• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. This book is an incredibly popular read among nurses. Why? The main character, Claire Randall, is a nurse herself serving in the British Army during WWI. But this is no traditional novel, as it blends elements of fantasy, romance, historical fiction and legend to tell Claire’s tale. In it, the happily married Claire finds herself suddenly transported back in time, where she meets and falls in love with another man. Torn between her two loves and two centuries, Claire’s story is one of passion, pain and intrigue that’s sure to keep you reading page after page.
• The Thin White Line by Craig DiLouie. While the panic associated with avian and swine flu turned out to be overblown, the reality is that a pandemic illness could hit and wipe out entire communities at any time. This novel takes a look at what could and quite possibly would happen if such an epidemic were to hit Canada. It is a fascinating take on both the personal and political ramifications of such a disaster, and is a great read for any nurse with an interest in infectious disease.
• The Healer’s War by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough. Drawing on her own experiences, Scarborough creates the fictional Kathleen McCulley in this novel, a nurse on a tour of duty at China Beach in Vietnam. McCulley must deal not only with healing the battle wounds of soldiers, but her ambivalence toward the enemy, the racism of her charges and her own personal battles. While the novel is set on the field of battle, nurses in any profession will recognize the courage it takes to keep it together in such a stressful situation.
• The Glory Cloak: A Novel of Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton by Patricia O’Brien. If you were inspired to become a nurse by historical greats like Clara Barton, you’ll love this fictional take on her life and work that unites her with the author of the classic novel Little Women. The story follows Alcott and her fictional cousin Susan as they help join the war effort by becoming nurses, encountering the battlefield legend Barton in the process. Blending love, history, friendship and betrayal, the novel is at once engrossing and enlightening about life and work during the turn of the century.
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Penguin Classics) by Ken Kesey. Think you’ve got a real piece of work for a coworker? He or she is likely nothing compared to the tyrannical Nurse Ratched in this classic novel. Kesey’s portrayal of a fictional insane asylum garnered him international acclaim and numerous awards, and the book is still worth a read today. The story centers on Patrick McMurphy, a mental patient who antagonizes his nurse and upsets the daily routine of the other patients, but not without just cause. It is a frank look at the state of institutional care and a must-read for anyone working in psychiatric nursing.
• My Name Is Mary Sutter: A Novel by Robin Oliveira. A young midwife leaves home during the Civil War to seek the medical experience she wants in order to help her become a doctor. Readers will find that she gets what she wished for, with vivid descriptions of medical treatments common at the time that would seem like torture or mutilation today, showing just how far we’ve come with medical advancements.
• Cherry Ames Boxed Set (Books 1-4) Student Nurse, Senior Nurse, Army Nurse & Chief Nurse by Helen Wells. This collection of novels was geared toward young girls when it came out in the ’40s through the ’60s and was meant to inspire them to a career in nursing. The young girl at the center of the stories is a student nurse at first, but later becomes a full-fledged professional, all while she solves mysteries, stands up for herself and is a fully independent woman. The novels are surprisingly feminist for their early publication date, and while they contain some nursing stereotypes, are still fun, inspiring and entertaining reads for anyone working in the field.
• No Other Medicine: Inside View of Corporate Healthcare Corruption in Hospitals by Gail Ghingna Hallas, RN, PhD. Titled after the quote “the miserable have no other medicine but hope,” this book takes a harsh look at the corruption, ineptitude and downright cruelty that can take place in the medical profession. The author is a nurse herself, which helped her create a nice variety of fictional characters that are richly developed and true to life. While the story was written in the early ’70s, many nurses will sadly recognize that many of the issues she addresses are still prevalent in hospitals across the nation. A riveting, compelling (though depressing) novel, it’s a great read for anyone with a passion for healthcare and patient rights.

Any suggestions on novels featuring nurses that we left out?  Please add your recommendations to the comments section below!

This article was republished with permission from SCRUBS Magazine .

Love , Love, Love Outlander by Diana Gabaldon!!! Re-reading the series for the 4th time and anxiously awaiting her 9th book in the series.

My Name is Mary Sutter is excellent! I’m reading it for the second time.

Small Great Things, by Jodi Picoult. Story of an African American L & D nurse (in the 30’s???). Just started it.

I recently read “Fire By Night” about a young woman who becomes a nurse during the Civil War. It is written by Lynn Austin. It was great!

Sue Barton as a home health nurse helped me to give home health a chance My first inspiration to be a nurse was Cherry Ames; I still have and reread some Cherry Ames and Sue Barton books

A NURSES’STORY BY CAROL GINO

What about all of the Sue Barton books? Sue goes from a student to a mom with kids who still works as a nurse. She was my inspiration growing up. 🙂

Agree–Home before Dawn is definitely worth reading!!!

HOME BEFORE DAWN. A VIETNAM NURSE WHO COMES HOME WITH PTSD AND FINDS THAT THE VA DOESN’T RECOGNIZE NURSES AS BEING VETERANS. SHE GOES ON TO FIGHT FOR NURSES RIGHTS AS VETERANS AND WINS SOME 20 YEARS LATER. IT’S A VERY PERSONAL STORY, DISTURBING, AND REDEMPTIVE.

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10 Greatest Fiction Novels Every Nurse Will Love

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Reading great nurse novels is a good way of relieving stress and boosting your motivation at work. Some nursing schools even recommend a reading list before starting clinical rotations. There are many novels written about the life of nurses that nurses can relate with.

If you are looking for a good read, here is a list of the greatest fiction novels about nurses. Pick your choice of book and enrich your mind with a great nursing story.

Note: Clicking on the title brings you to the book description on Goodreads, while clicking on the book cover brings you to Amazon (if you are interested in purchasing). Goodreads is a good place to see other reader reviews and author information.

1.  Cherry Ames, Student Nurse by Helen Wells

Cherry’s adventurous personality helps her solve mysteries at work. Along with her passion for nursing, she grows from a student nurse to a fully qualified RN. It’s an inspiring novel for those who are thinking of pursing nursing.

Trivia:  The Cherry Ames Nursing Series is composed of 20 books. The books were published between 1940s and 1960s. During this time, there was a shortage of nurses throughout the US and the publication of these books helped the nursing community to inspire more students to enter the nursing profession.

2.  The Healer’s War by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

As she continues dealing with the challenges of her work, she gets an amulet from a dying Vietnamese holy man. This amulet makes her see other people’s auras and leads her to an incredible journey in a war-torn jungle.

This novel will make you understand a nurse’s perspective about war and how it can change your priorities.

Trivia: The author of The Healer’s War , Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, was actually a nurse in Vietnam during the wartime period. Her experiences during that time inspired the insights in her novel.

Also Read: 10 Best Nursing Journals Every Nurse Should Subscribe To

3.  Lions and Tigers and Nurses by Amy Glenn Vega

Haylie Evans, a fresh graduate nurse, is excited to be part of Med-Surg South. Soon enough, she learns the meaning of the expression “ Nurses eat their young ” as she gets assigned to a terror senior nurse preceptor.

The issues tackled in this novel depict real-life problems of new nurses as they experience lateral violence at their work. This book shows how generational and personality differences can make an impact on workplace professional relationships.

Trivia: Lions and Tigers and Nurses  is a well-known educational nurse novel used in schools. Once you finish reading the book, you are eligible to receive 3 contact hours of CNE.

4. The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

The Wonder book will not be everybody’s cup of tea. However, if you like slow, atmospheric tales steeped in mystery, you will come to love this haunting and moving story.

5.  The Orange Tree by Martin R. Ganzglass

Different perspectives of past and present cultures are presented well in the novel. Most importantly, the problems of American families coping with their elderly are timely issues featured in this book.

Trivia: The author of The Orange Tree is a Board Member of the Somali American Community Association. He served in the Peace Corps as a legal advisor to the Somali National Police Force between 1966 and 1968. His experiences during these times provided inspiration in writing the novel.

Also Read: Top 100 Nursing Blogs That Matter

6.  No Other Medicine by Gail Ghigna Hallas RN PhD

The author accurately portrays the real-life situation of America’s healthcare system where corporate greed and corruption directly affect healthcare professionals and patients. The novel is easy to understand so that even readers without medical background can keep up with the story and learn more about the medical world.

Trivia: The author of No Other Medicine , Gail Ghigna Hallas RN PhD is a registered nurse. She gained inspiration in writing the novel from her own experiences in her nursing career. Many reviews about the novel hailed it as a realistic portrayal of present day’s problems in the healthcare system.

7.  Poor Mrs. Rigby by Kathy Herman

Mrs. Rigsby fakes dementia to hide her fortunes from being discovered by her son and grandson. Soon enough, Cox learns the truth about Mrs. Rigsby’s secret and she is torn between fulfilling her faith and satisfying her greed. The book provides a valuable lesson about setting priorities and following one’s moral compass.

Trivia : Katy Herman, the author of Poor Mrs. Rigby , is in the Christian publishing industry for many years. Her novels revolved around mysteries with incorporated teachings from Christian scriptures.

8.  One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

Since One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest  is a mental patient’s point of view, you can feel the roller coaster of emotions patients experience while inside an asylum. It is a recommended read if you are going to be rotated in a mental health facility.

Trivia: This is Ken Kesey’s first novel. He gained inspiration in writing the novel from his own experiences. He tested mind-altering drugs for the federal government and he worked as a nurse’s aide in the same facility afterwards. He also drew haunting sketches during his work as a nurse’s aide and these illustrations are featured in some of his published books.

9.  The Glory Cloak: A Novel of Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton by Patricia O’Brien

Historic events unfold in the novel like Lincoln’s appointment of Clara Barton in finding and naming the war’s missing and dead, as well as Louisa May Alcott’s fame in writing the novel Little Women . It’s a great read for those who are wondering about the life of nurses during the Civil War era.

Trivia: The Glory Cloak features an Afterward section where the author discusses the fictional versus the non-fictional parts of the book.

Also Read: 15 Awesome Nurses You Should Follow On Pinterest

10.  The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

The English Patient features a beautiful and unforgettable story that will leave a cut in your heart. Hana’s perseverance and passion despite the odds will make you proud of being a nurse.

Trivia: The novel won Booker Prize and was made into a movie. The novel is lyrically expressive since the author, Michael Ondaatje, is not only a novelist but also a poet.

And that’s our list! Is there any book that tickled your fancy from the nurse novels above?

If we missed other nursing novels, please do share your favorite picks with us in our FB page!

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← Off the Shelf Library Blog

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Off the Shelf: Nursing Home Fiction

Posted september 16, 2021.

By Jan Vaughn Warren-Trumbull County Public Library Deputy Director

What could be more sad and demoralizing than reading works set in a nursing home, you ask? I’m here to let you know that you couldn’t be more wrong!

These five delightful books are centered around individuals who are in retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes but these locations are not filled with people who are just counting the days until Death comes. These literary characters have hopes, dreams, intellectual curiosity – and there’s a lot more to their stories than you’d imagine.

These are dignified people who are making their lives meaningful within the confines of where they are habituating. These people make friends, they are friends, they solve mysteries, they go on adventures, and they are still engaged in living. They have frailties, diseases, take medications, and may be a little slower than they used to be, but they are not to be discounted.

“Never assume” should be the attitude when diving into these wonderful and moving works.

Want to read more?

Use the library’s Novelist Plus online research resource and type in the keywords “nursing home patients – fiction”. It will offer up a huge list of similar books. You can refine your search specifically for adult readers along the left side of the page, which will weed out books for children or teens.

How to find Novelist Plus on the library website:

www.WTCPL.org > Check It Out > What to Read Next

Under the “Read-Alikes & More” heading, click the link to Novelist Plus. If you’re at home, be sure to choose Novelist Plus (At Home Access).

Happy reading!

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The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home: Another gorgeously uplifting novel from the author of the bestselling THE SINGLE LADIES OF JACARANDA RETIREMENT VILLAGE Hardcover – January 7, 2021

Purchase options and add-ons.

'Poignant and warm-hearted . . . a tonic for our times .' - Holly Miller, author of The Sight of You At nearly ninety, retired nature writer Hattie Bloom prefers the company of birds to people, but when a fall lands her in a nursing home she struggles to cope with the loss of independence and privacy. From the confines of her 'room with a view' - of the car park! - she dreams of escape. Fellow 'inmate', the gregarious, would-be comedian Walter Clements also plans on returning home as soon as he is fit and able to take charge of his mobility scooter. When Hattie and Walter officially meet at The Night Owls, a clandestine club run by Sister Bronwyn and her dog, Queenie, they seem at odds. But when Sister Bronwyn is dismissed over her unconventional approach to aged care, they must join forces - and very slowly, an unlikely, unexpected friendship begins to grow. Full of wisdom and warmth, The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home is a gorgeously poignant, hilarious story showing that it is never too late to laugh - or to love. Praise for Joanna Nell: 'Hugely entertaining . . . funny and heart-warming ' Woman & Home 'A gentle, warm-hearted book that had me rooting for all the characters and laughing out loud at points' LIBBY PAGE, author of The Lido ' A warm and touching story with a cast of characters who became my friends ' - KATIE MARSH, author of The Rest of Me 'The perfect blend of funny and moving ' - NATASHA LESTER, author of The Paris Seamstress 'A funny and poignant exploration of growing old disgracefully and enjoying your twilight years.' - Culturefly

• Print length 384 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
• Publication date January 7, 2021
• Dimensions 5.75 x 1.57 x 8.66 inches
• ISBN-10 1529349338
• ISBN-13 978-1529349337
• See all details

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Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hodder & Stoughton (January 7, 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1529349338
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1529349337
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.06 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1.57 x 8.66 inches
• #32,406 in Humorous Fiction
• #66,415 in Contemporary Women Fiction
• #274,179 in Contemporary Romance (Books)

About the author

Joanna nell.

Joanna Nell was born in the Midlands and graduated from Oxford University with a medical degree in 1991.

In 2003 she moved to Australia where she now works as a GP with a passion for women's health and care of the elderly.

Joanna writes character-driven stories of self-discovery for women of a certain age, creating young-at-heart characters who break the rules and defy society's expectations.

She lives on Sydney's Northern Beaches with her husband and two children. THE SINGLE LADIES OF JACARANDA VILLAGE is her first novel.

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5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous read

4.0 out of 5 stars Cocktails at midnight? Yes, please, for these residents

5.0 out of 5 stars nursing home happenings 😁, 5.0 out of 5 stars excellent discovery and we'll paced read, 3.0 out of 5 stars entertaining.

5.0 out of 5 stars The word “heartwarming” could have been coined especially for this novel

Top reviews from other countries, 5.0 out of 5 stars entertaining, 5.0 out of 5 stars old people still know how to live, 4.0 out of 5 stars good & funny read, 4.0 out of 5 stars tale very authentic of what happens in aged care, 5.0 out of 5 stars highly amusing and realistic (in parts).

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Reading Ladies

The great escape from woodlands nursing home [book review].

January 15, 2021

The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home by Joanna Nell

Genre/Categories: Contemporary Fiction, Humor, Friendship

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Hattie Bloom is eighty-nine and she prefers birds to people and loves living alone in her small (although decrepit) home surrounded by her trees, plants, and feathered friends. Hattie is especially worried about an owl nest in a tree that the neighbors want to cut down. While climbing the tree, Hattie falls and ends up in a nursing home for rehab. She doesn’t adjust well to her new environment and entertains ideas of escape. Harold is another resident of the home that also dreams of escape. Hattie and Harold meet at the Night Owls social hour organized by a beloved nurse who desires to provide services for the residents who have a difficult time sleeping at night. Hattie and Howard join forces in unsuspecting ways.

My Thoughts:

Quirky Characters: I love quirky characters and especially more mature quirky characters! Click here for a list of a few of my favorite quirky characters. Hattie and Harold will definitely have a place on my list! Hattie is grieving the loss of her privacy and independence. She’s determined, a nature lover and nature writer, a reader, self contained, blunt, reclusive, and mentally sharp. Harold is a people person, a ladies’ man, humorous, determined, a proud driving instructor, a wannabe standup comedian, determined to acquire a license to ride his mobility scooter, and a good friend. Completely opposite, will reserved Hattie and optimistic Harold become friends?  Will they make their escape? Can they work together to save a beloved nurse?

Don’t underestimate them!

“Everyone expects so little of us, expects us to be completely incapable. That’s our secret weapon. Our disguise, if you like.”

Writing: Joanna Nell writes a heartwarming and uplifting story filled with humor, insights, and empathy.  She draws complex, likable, and relatable characters. Although The Great Escape was thoroughly enjoyable, the ending really landed it! The ending is strong, compelling, poignant, and pulls everything together nicely, landing this in the “memorable read” category.

I also appreciate that Joanna Nell’s experience as a GP and her nursing home visits informs a great deal of her research and writing for this story. You can sense that she admires, respects, and adores her characters.

Themes: Thoughtful themes in The Great Escape include friendship, taking risks, determination, adjusting to life’s circumstances, kindness, independence, and the nursing home environment.

Recommended: I’m highly recommending The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home for fans of quirky characters, for readers who love more mature characters, for those who might have an interest in the mental health of nursing home residents, and for those looking for a heartfelt, feel good, “uplit” story! Book clubs might love it!

My Rating:  4.5 Stars

The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home Information Here

Meet the Author, Joanna Nell

Is The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home on your TBR or have you read it?

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15 comments.

I love quirky mature people 😅 my great aunt falls into this category and she is such a hoot.

😍 Awww! You might enjoy this story!

Sounds cute, the nursing home shenanigans are real 😂 except right now they really aren’t, covid is making things more of a horror show 😐

It is cute! And written by a doctor, too!

Books with quirky characters are always enjoyable. Really enjoyed your review. I will have to add this one to my TBR and hopefully, I will enjoy it, though it certainly sounds like one I would like.

I hope you end up enjoying it! Thanks for commenting!

Great review Carol!

Thanks Kym!

This sounds delightful! Thanks, Carol!

It was fun Debi! 🙌

[…] 4.5  Stars. (ARC). Heartfelt contemporary fiction. Quirky, mature characters. Review of The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home here. […]

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The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home