Nightingales on Call: (Nightingales 4)

There is an awful lot of back story which has to be touched on enough to be informative but the author does not try to summarise the previous three novels. And yet the story flows so well that the characters become familiar very quickly. This story concerns the last year of study for one group of nurses, mainly Dora and Lucy and their experiences, how their lives are altered and how this reflects on them as people, the changes wrought on them and how they come to terms as much with each other as with their own problems.

We also meet new characters to the Nightingale series — Effie and Jess.

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Younger than Dora and Lucy, they also have issues to overcome, Jess more so, coming from a notorious family in the East End which she struggles to free herself from. There is a plethora of supporting characters, nurses, other students, who act as foils for the main four and allow them to develop and grow. What I take from this novel is two-fold. Firstly Donna Douglas brings together a collection of disparate characters from a variety of social backgrounds and allows them to find the common ground that unites them.

Secondly Ms Douglas tackles the delicate issue of sexual abuse in the family in a sympathetic manner, avoiding the dramatic or sentimental, and yet manages to not gloss over the effects on family and victim. As a historical novel, this is, of course, recent history, and indeed having chatted to my mother-in-law, the teaching methods and terminology had not changed when she trained in the 60s!

Nightingales on Call

The sense of the East End and indeed London in general comes across without being grim and depressing. Nightingales on call and in crisis: Paperback , pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Nightingales on Call , please sign up. Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia.

Mar 29, Anne rated it it was amazing. As with the other books in this series, Nightingales On Call can be read as a stand-alone novel, but having been a fan of these stories from the very first one, I'd urge readers to get hold of the other books too. Donna Douglas gives enough background information within Nightingales On Call to enable new readers to enjoy it just as much as old fans, but doesn't get too bogged down by things that happened earlier in the series.

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This story concentrates mainly on Dora and Lucy who are almost at the As with the other books in this series, Nightingales On Call can be read as a stand-alone novel, but having been a fan of these stories from the very first one, I'd urge readers to get hold of the other books too. This story concentrates mainly on Dora and Lucy who are almost at the end of their three year training,and will soon become Staff Nurses. These two girls have always had a tense relationship; Dora comes from the East End whilst Lucy's family are rich and she's been very spoilt by her parents.

Their relationship changes dramatically throughout the course of the story as each of them deals with their own hidden secrets and shame. They find that they do have more in common than anyone could have guessed. New characters are introduced, including ward maid Jess and trainee nurse Effie. Both of these bring a breath of fresh air to the nursing school in their own special way. Once again, Donna Douglas effortlessly takes the reader into the world of student nursing before the NHS.

Nightingales on Call by Donna Douglas

The attention to detail is excellent and life on the wards for these young women is portrayed so well, from the back-aching scrubbing of the floors to the constant reminders that they should not grow close to their patients. Most of the nursing is playing out on the children's wards and I found this particularly fascinating. Imagine your beloved child is sick and in hospital and you can only visit him once per month? Imagine being able to pay for your child to have a private room on the ward, and being able to visit whenever you want to, but not bothering, and sending your housekeeper instead?

These things happened and are played out in the story. I'll admit that the Nightingale series is not my usual genre but I really do have a soft spot for these stories. Donna Douglas has created a cast of characters who have grown and matured throughout the series.

Her research and historical detail is so well done. I enjoyed Nightingales On Call just as much as the others in the series, and really hope that there is more to come from the Nightingale Girls. Jan 01, Holly 2 Kids and Tired rated it really liked it.

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As the nurses enter their final year of training, new faces appear and an old nemesis finds herself taken down a notch or two. Dora and Lucy find themselves roommates and working together on the children's ward. Still proud and arrogant, Lucy is hiding the fact that her father has lost his fortune and she and her mother are nearly destitute. Dora and Nick are working to find the money to be able to be married and the last thing Dora needs is Lucy as her roommate.

But, as often happens with trial As the nurses enter their final year of training, new faces appear and an old nemesis finds herself taken down a notch or two. But, as often happens with trial and suffering, hearts are softened and friendships formed. I enjoyed Lucy's path to redemption. Loved her role as maid in the nurses house and seeing that side of the hospital and her interactions with grumpy Nurse Sutton, the old House Sister. I look forward to seeing more of Jess. Picking up after The Nightingale Nurses leaves off, the story could stand alone, but these should be read in order.

I love these girls. I love this soap opera called Nightingale. Jul 01, sue rated it really liked it. I have read and enjoyed all this series. Although these books can be read individually as a stand alone, its lovely if you read them from book 1 onwards. It doesn't matter as the author gives enough background for you to pick up but you would equally miss out on some things. We have seen these sisters come through thick and thin.

I can't help but admire the author for doing all her research thoroughly this has enlightened me to the past pre NHS. Imagine you on your hands and knees I have read and enjoyed all this series. Imagine you on your hands and knees scrubbing the floor. I was shocked to know that rich people can pay for a room of their own for their child who is sick and then send their maid to visit them, this was awful and cruel.

It makes me realize how far we have come in society.

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Well, I've swung through the highs and lows of this family story and I thoroughly enjoyed my journey. Here ends the series Another great Nightingale book full of interesting characters. The only issue I have is that I would like to have heard more about Helen and Millie who featured in the first three books. And now that Dora and Millie are married, I guess they won't feature so much in the next book, although I hope that they, or their families come back as patients!

Saying that, I grew to like the new characters of Effie and particularly Jess. Will be reading the next instalment soon. Love, love, loved it! I have read all the books in the series in order. The characters are multifaceted, the stories excellent. I have laughed out laughed out loud, cried, and shouted to the characters my outrage, support, and encouragement. I have been reading and listening to the audio versions together. The audio version is extremely well done. Oct 29, Amy Gennaro rated it it was amazing Shelves: I love this series of books that tell about the nurses of the Nightengale Hospital in East London.

How they train, how the learn and work, and how their lives mesh with life as a nurse in the 's at the preeminent nurses training hospital in London. You will love the characters and the storiesgive it a try- you will love them. Dec 06, Di Schlenk rated it it was amazing. This excellent nursing series continues and the girls enter their third year of study. Living in close quarters and having diverse backgrounds, feuds and discontent brew. A wonderful on-site into nursing in the s. Oct 11, Kim rated it really liked it. Sometime all you need is a good cup of tea and to know the worst problems in life are passing exams and cleaning bedpans.

I return to this series often, and will continue to do so. It is a perfect literary palate cleanser. An excellent easy read, loved the story line and would recommend it to everyone. Can't wait to read the next one in the series. Coming from a nursing family though it is fiction so many of the story lines are so true to life.

As expected Again an excellent read and will be downloading the next in series - Donna Douglas never fails to deliver with each book in this series. Didn't disappoint Once again an excellent read following the lives of the nightingale nurses and the friendships they had with each other. Nov 01, Sarah rated it it was amazing. Another great read in the series. Jun 08, Andrea Arnold rated it it was amazing. What can I say. Every bit as good as the others Totally enthralled with this latest installment of the nightingales. Read it in just over a day could hardly put it down. Apr 04, Elayne rated it really liked it Shelves: My friend bought me this book for Christmas I thought oh blimey but what a nice little book easy to read might have to read the others.

Dec 14, Chris Purser rated it really liked it. I was very caught up in the story. The characters have developed and the story arc has moved on. Mar 14, Mary Elizabeth Morton rated it it was amazing. Another fantastic book in a fantastic series! Jan 28, Rosalie rated it it was amazing.

I really enjoyed this series but I think it is completed. Not the best one I've read This one truly wasn't the best one of the series. Rather than continuing the storylines of the main characters from the last 3 books you got a smattering of their stories, then you have a 'let's get to know' the next group of student nurses, and characters.

You then get to see what of those new people are plucky, silly, sulky, vain, or in need of a good old fashioned comeuppance. This spent more time getting the new storylines setup and less time spent finishing the Not the best one I've read This spent more time getting the new storylines setup and less time spent finishing the ones she had going.

She really did little to finish Millie's story - so much to work with yet it was given such a postscript. Oct 12, Julie rated it really liked it. Determined to prove that she is neither a liar nor a crook, Jess wants to find an honest job and be judged on her own merits and capabilities, as opposed to being thought of as one of the thieving Jago family. When she hears of a job going at the Nightingale hospital as a maid, Jess decides to go for it and she is absolutely thrilled when she gets it.

Although the work is hard and the hours long, this job will give Jess the chance to leave the family home and make a fresh start. Keen to better herself and to make the most of this opportunity, Jess signs up for evening classes and reads every single book she can get her hands on. Effie has spent most of her life dreaming of escaping the claustrophobic confines of rural life for the bright lights of London where she can flirt with handsome doctors all day and dance all night. Luckily for her, she soon finds her way back to the Nightingale and her sisters, but the exciting life she imagined for herself proves rather elusive.

She finds it rather hard to connect with her fellow nurses and all the hard work and studying she is expected to do leave her with next to no time for fun and parties. When she finally catches the eye of a handsome medical student, Effie thinks that all of her hopes and dreams are about to come true. But is her Prince Charming all that he seems? Or will he lead her down a dangerous path that could jeopardise her entire future? Dora has got a lot on her plate at the moment. Or will they crumble under the strain? I loved resourceful and intelligent Jess and spirited Effie and I must admit to a soft soft for the taciturn but good-hearted Sister Sutton.

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Seamlessly blending humour, compassion, warmth and heart into a mesmerizing story that is impossible to resist, Nightingales on Call is another winner by Donna Douglas! This review was originally published on the Single Titles website. Oct 03, Sam Still Reading rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Recommended to Sam Still Reading by: There was closure for several characters who have had starring roles in the books so far. We carry on the story of Dora, now in her final section of nursing training.

Can she and Nick sort out their issues and find happily ever after? A chance meeting with Effie, a new student nurse, ends up with them being unlikely friends. Effie is immature, flippant and out for a fun time instead of nursing work.