Cooked: An Inner City Nursing Memoir

I received a copy of the original release of this book from a friend and had to order my own to be a permanant part of my library. I worked at Cook County Hospital and was impressed with the accurate depiction of the condtions and atmosphere of this incredible institution at that time. It was not perfect, but I remember people striving to make it so along with the great compassion of many dedicated professionals working wth limited resources. This book took me on personal journey of remembrance, but I feel it can give anyone an insight into the workings of a hospital designed to serve the most needy in a big city.

Carol's book was just fabulous - I have read it many times and found it very difficult to put down. I am also a Cook County grad,and Carol has done a great job of helping those who were a part of the that experience stay connected. Memories of CCSN will live on forever thanks to her great skills as a writer (as I recall, she was also an excellent nursing student!) All of us who were once a part of County loved and hated it so much and all at the same time. Thanks, Carol, for sharing with all of us who were part of that great time. Mary Jane(Pratt)McWilliams RN

A warm & touching story of a young girls journey through a difficult learning enviroment. It brought back memories of my own college experience(although I went to a private woman's college-nothing like Cook County). It was funny & touching and very enjoyable. I highly recommend it!!

THIS BOOK IS A GREAT READ FOR THOSE OF US WHO "TRAINED" AT THE CCSN! I GRADUATED A YEAR BEFORE THE AUTHOR STARTED THERE AND FOUND OLD MEMORIES CAME RUSHING BACK AS I BEGAN READING. I COULD SMELL THE TUNNEL, THE HOT, SWEATY WARDS, THE INSTITUTIONAL FOOD. I RECOGNIZED THE INSTRUCTORS EVEN THOUGH THE NAMES WERE CHANGED- WHAT A HOOT! AFTER 36 YEARS I WAS REMINDED OF THE YOUNG IDEALISTIC GIRL I WAS WHEN I ENTERED THAT HOSPITAL. THANKS FOR A RIDE DOWN MEMORY LANE!

I received this book as a gift after retiring from a long career of nursing at Cook County Hospital. I enjoyed the way the author accurately described this hospital's atmosphere and the types of patients that we helped. Her unique stories were similiar to my own. I highly recommend it to all people who want to remember this grand institution.