Hi, I’m H.S. Marks, LPN—over 40 years ago, when I first earned those letters, they stood for low-paid nurse. Today, it just means I’m an old one, here to tell it like it is in the world of nursing circa 2024 in America.

This book? It’s a collection of stories about nurses, for nurses, written by a nurse. But hey, it’s also for anyone curious about what it’s really like to stand on the front lines of health care while trying to keep your sanity intact.

When I became a nurse in 1978, I was full of high aspirations and bright-eyed idealism. Sure, I knew I wasn’t Florence Nightingale—I’m more “sarcastic realist” than “lamp-carrying angel”—but I wanted to help people. I wanted a career that mattered. Something more meaningful than tossing newspapers, making donuts at 3 a.m., or scrubbing someone else’s toilets.

When I landed my first job at the same hospital where I’d done my clinicals, I was over the moon. Excited? You bet. But those days? Long gone. These stories I’ve written? They need to be told. Because people are best served when they’re served the truth.

Don’t get me wrong, the high ideals I started with are still kicking around somewhere, but the price I’ve paid to hold onto them has been steep—measured in blood, sweat, and tears. (Mostly mine.)

Nursing Nightmares is my attempt to shine a light on what modern nursing has become, the personal cost for those of us who care deeply, and the truth about the system we work in. I hope this book gives you food for thought—and maybe a bit of heartburn—because the next time you meet a nurse, I want you to really see them.

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE

From Author H.S. Marks : Nursing Nightmares—The Good, the Bad, and the Truly Unhinged

After 40 years in the trenches of nursing, I thought I’d seen it all—until I started writing Nursing Nightmares. Turns out, when you blend decades of jaw-dropping moments with a little creative license, you end up with something even wilder than reality.

This isn’t a tell-all because, frankly, HIPAA and my conscience won’t let me. But don’t worry, these tales are just fictional enough to keep my former coworkers from filing restraining orders. Inspired by the utterly surreal, heartwarming, horrifying, and downright absurd moments of my career, Nursing Nightmares is my love letter (and occasional hate mail) to the world of healthcare.

Expect drama. Expect chaos. Expect that one patient who always thinks WebMD knows more than you. And if you’ve ever been curious about the human condition—or just how weird it can get after 2 a.m. on a hospital floor—then you’re in for a ride.

But a word of caution: This book isn’t for the faint of heart, the squeamish, or anyone who thinks “Grey’s Anatomy” is an accurate depiction of hospital life. (Spoiler: It’s not.)

So, grab a copy and strap in. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll probably thank your lucky stars you’re not a nurse. And if you are a nurse, well… welcome to the group therapy session.

H.S. Marks

P.S. To my former colleagues: If any of this feels uncomfortably familiar, remember—it’s totally fictional. Probably.