Year of the Nurse: A 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic Memoir

Written by Cassandra Alexander

Narrated by Dolly Payne

This book is for everyone, nurse or otherwise, who is furious about how 2020 went down -- and how 2021 is going.

On April 25th, 2021 at 10:55 in the morning I messaged my chat group of girlfriends from where I work as a nurse on an ICU floor: “Nothing like feeling strongly suicidal at a job where you’re supposed to be keeping people alive,” and then tweeted that my “mental health wasn’t great” and deleted the Twitter app off of my phone because I didn’t want to “overshare.”
That I felt like dying.
That I would’ve rather died than still be at work.
I am not alone.

In 2020 there were roughly four million nurses in America. Only 2.7 million U.S. soldiers fought in the Vietnam War. Those soldiers who came back from Vietnam having witnessed atrocities—and in some cases, participated in them—were changed forever.
You can't send four million people into a wartime-equivalent situation without there being psychological consequences.
And yet that’s what America has done.
Nurses spent a year battling a largely unknown assailant. Running low on gear. Fearing we might bring something deadly home. Getting coughed on by people who pretended that our fights were imaginary, that our struggles—watching people die, day after day, no matter what we did—were literally fake.
Nurses are scarred.
And unless people understand what we went through and commit to never let anyone lie in the future about public health, we will never become whole.

Year of the Nurse: A Covid-19 Pandemic Memoir is Cassandra Alexander's poignant effort to come to grips with suicidal ideation and PTSD after being a covid nurse in an ICU in 2020. Comprised of original essays and her chronological journals, tweets, and emails as she attempted to save lives, including her own—this book will let you experience last year from the bedside.

Come and understand what it was like.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Nov 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781094450384

Cassandra Alexander

Cassie Alexander is a registered nurse and author. As Cassandra, she's written the Year of the Nurse: A Covid-19 Pandemic Memoir. As Cassie, she's written numerous paranormal romances. She lives in the Bay Area with one husband, two cats, and one million succulents.

Reviews for Year of the Nurse

[Ryan Maraj · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was hard to listen to at times because it brought back so many memories that I’ve suppressed from 2020. I, too am a nurse and oh man did I feel this. I liked hearing the ICU details and although there was some pretty bad language… it’s real! Those are real true feelings. I applaud her for standing up to her family … I’m not sure I could be so civil actually.

[Steven Stankevitz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good read. More republicans should read but won’t thanks Steven

[MamaBobbins · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Sounds like a teen novel. Puts everyone in a basket and surprisingly politically polarizing. Blaming everything on Trump. A little self important. Had to cut it short as the audiobook sounded like Mean Girls the movie.

[Chris Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent and informative read very well written and easy read

[Cheryl Martin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing! Should be required reading anyone not in healthcare. I know you said you don’t wanna be a hero, but God bless you, exactly what you are. I’ve worked in healthcare, my whole life I am not a nurse what time of my best friends are I believe your truly angels in disguise.

[Lena Felix · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book was great! Thanks for sharing & sorry you had to go through that but i thank you for your service!

[idaho_vandal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a very real first hand experience of a brilliant nurse working in the ICU/Covid ward during the start of the pandemic. I too wish people would turn off Fox News and read this book! It would be very educational and enlightening to them if they are willing to open their minds! Loved the honesty and passion that went into this book.

[Deanna Black · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I didn’t get past the first paragraph! Where I was told how hated I was and she wished me I’ll! I can’t believe that people think that being a trump supporter makes me the reason she’s as miserable as she is! Wow! I considered being the bigger person and trudging on, but I’m getting so tired of that! I don’t wish I’ll upon anyone for any reason. I wish we could all get along and I’ll keep any harmful opinions that I make to myself, especially those developed without factual basis.

[Tommy Broyles · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Interesting book from several perspectives. First, learning what it felt like to be a nurse during covid opened my eyes to the passion many nurses have for their work and how difficult COVID was for them—the politics and the patients. Second, the author held nothing back, really allowing readers to see the trauma and mental health struggles she faced. Her writing is out of anger but her desire not to be angry—to be “normal again”—comes through. Finally, may all nurses care like the author does and fight for his or her patients (medically and politically)…and may we appreciate and understand the value of nursing much better.

[Becki Basley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a book every person should read. Not just to understand what horrible conditions nurses had to work and live in; but that No matter your political stance, all of us should watch out for the people who sacrifice so much to keep us alive.

[Hessah · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I assumed that I would be reading a book about sacrifices made by the medical profession team, but instead , a lady with a filthier mouth is presented.

[Scoti49 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Foulmouthed bitch , spoilt a great book and read with all her foul language .

[Maggie Mahoney · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A little “F Trump” heavy and overly politic. Cheap topics