Customer Reviews

Cherry Ames Student Nurse

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I never read these books growing up, but wish that I had. The first book in the Cherry Ames series is delightful. It follows Cherry as she leaves home and goes away to nursing school.The setting of this book is pre-WW2 ,and I found it charming and simplistic. Being an RN for many years now, it was fascinating to discover what nursing students of the time were taught. The friendships that Cherry forms in this book, last throughtout the entire 20 book series. I highly recommend this book, as well as the entire series.

Cherry Ames, the, slim black eyed, black haired, beauty who introduced me into the realm of nursing. I was a 9 year old avid reader, when I was given my first Cherry Ames book. She did it all, student nurse, senior nurse, cruise ship nurse, public health nurse and on and on. She was the epitome of a glamorous woman who could do no wrong.
Cherry Ames, had a twin brother, Charles, He was as fair as she was dark, but he was tall as she was. They were both very intelligent and lived in Hilton. They had wonderfully kind and intelligent parents who loved them. We all had loving parents, but they could never measure up to the Ames.

Cherry graduated from high school, and as she always knew she would, she went to Spencer School of Nursing. She met her new classmates and fell into the study routines. She wore her blue and white striped uniform proudly. She met the doctors. They were never to be argued with and always addressed with respect. The professors of nursing were tough and rigid, but Cherry Ames understood they had to be that way. After all these student nurses had life and death situations in their hands. It wasn't all study- there was fun. Cherry stole Annie Chase, the doll they used to practice injections and bed baths on. They had dances where they met all the young physicians on staff. They had parties, and this was a big city so they could go out once in a while if permission was given. They could go out to a movie or have dinner at a restaurant.

Cherry Ames was a model nurse; her patients received the best of care during her 12 hour shifts. They were so appreciative of their brave nurse who stood up for them against the stodgy old doctors. She smoothed the way for all of them- she loved them so. And, all of her sister student nurses loved her too. She was perfection and the best. She moved through her first year so effortlessly. There were no weekends or holidays at home. They were all spent taking care of patients. Patients came first. What a role model! Did I find life as a student nurse much different than Cherry Ames portrayed? Yes, Yes, Yes! Tough science and math courses. Anatomy and physiology and chemistry and physics and then dissecting a cat and going to see my first autopsy. My first patient who had a broken femur and the first time he stood up, he had a massive pulmonary embolus and went into cardiac arrest. Yes, an exciting time for us all. And, I have to thank Cherry Ames. The glamorous life of a nurse. I do love my profession, and I do thank Cherry Ames. Student Nurse. Highly recommend, prisrob

My mother bought a copy of Cherry Ames Student Nurse for me when I was a pre-teen. I suppose she was hoping it would inspire me to go into nursing. I had long lost that copy, but found another here on Amazon, which I just had to have for my personal library. The book brings back good memories and I'm sure inspired many to go into the nursing profession. The book follows young Cherry as she starts nursing school and gives the reader a look into what it takes to become a nurse. I highly recommend it for pre-teens and teenagers who are thinking about going into that field of work.

My name is Emily, and I'm 15. I enjoyed this book SOOOO much! I don't want to tell you too much, or spoil anything, but if you wat to be a nurse, like nursing, like older books, or just like stories about girls, this book is for you! I can't wait to get the rest of the series!!

For my nursing graduation, my husband's aunt recently gave me a vintage copy of the first Cherry Ames book, Cherry Ames Student Nurse. That was all it took to get me hooked on this series! I've been on the hunt to complete my series ever since! It's an absolutely fascinating glimpse into the nursing world 60 years ago! Patients don't get back rubs before bed time any longer, and student nurses are not in charge of entire hospital wards. Cherry really inspires women to be excellent nurses despite her outdated nursing responsibilities. Her enthusiasm is contagious and her tendency toward mischief (as well as how she always manages to avoid getting in trouble) is very entertaining. I highly recommend these books, not just for entertainment, but for the historical aspects.

I remember reading these books growing up in the 1970's. Even at that time, they had a somewhat dated feel. As long as they are read with the knowledge that they are set in a specific time -- when women did not have the educational, social and career freedom that we enjoy now -- they have a certain charming quality. I would recommend them for pre-teens, but a discussion to place them in context is a good idea. Yes, a girl can become a nurse if she wants to, and its a very honorable profession -- but she can also become a doctor, an option that didn't really exist in Cherry Ames' day.

(SPOILERS)

I just read the first book in this series, where plucky Cherry Ames (who, on the cover, strongly resembles actress Jennifer Jones) scampers off to Spencer Hospital in 1943 and makes friends with seemingly everyone she meets. I love our heroine because she has eyes like sparkling black diamonds - - that's a new one! - - but also because she keeps a 7-year-old from turning into a traumatized adult by assuring him the face that's been burnt off by an exploding water heater will be good as new any day now.

Also highly dramatic is the dorm room scene in which Nurse Ames takes on jealous fellow student Vivian Warren, a bitter loner with the shady habit of wearing too much lipstick. Musing that a "surprise attack" often works best, Cherry knocks on the taken-aback Vivian's door one evening, invites herself in, and says, "You probably know this without my telling you, that I think your tactics against me in class are pretty unfair. I want to tell you very plainly that I don't like them. I also want to tell you that I won't stand for that sort of thing." Since the sullen Vivian hasn't broken a lamp over her head, at least yet, Cherry goes on, "I can't help wondering why you feel you have to resort to such tactics, when you're every bit as capable as the next student, and why you're always alone." Cherry has got her digs in, but then cleans up the bloodshed by complimenting the cheap little viper, and even tops it all off by inviting her to a movie. Highly impressive! PS: This chat changes Vivian's life.

What I'm mostly worried about, though, is that for all her gifts and capability, can Cherry Ames prove to HOLD DOWN A JOB? Does she work any job longer than a few MONTHS? In addition to "Student Nurse, the series looks to include Cherry Ames: Senior Nurse, Army Nurse, Chief Nurse, Flight Nurse, Department Store Nurse, Boarding School Nurse, Jungle Nurse, Dude Ranch Nurse, Rest Home Nurse...etc. etc. etc! This is a dangerously spotty resume for a career woman to be building!