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Hazel is shy and sensitive and wants to be an artist or singer. However, at age eighteen, she commences her registered nurse training at King's College Hospital, London, to escape from a difficult home life and become independent.
Training in midwifery, tropical diseases, and cardiothoracic nursing, her love of art and music mingle with her nursing life, as she sings to the dying, makes Christmas decorations for the wards, and turns her room in the nurses' home into a miniature art studio.
She emigrates to Australia in 1977.
From nursing leprosy patients at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, to suturing wounds on Heron Island, Queensland, Hazel writes candid stories of triumph, tragedy and hilarity, and expounds the close human connections that are formed between nurse and patient.
About the author
Hazel Mary Cope was born in the U.K. and trained to be a registered nurse in the 1960s, at King's College Hospital London. Hazel emigrated to Australia in 1977. Her nursing career expanding over 46 years has brought her through various fields of nursing, including tropical diseases and palliative care.Hazel is also a multi award winning artist with a PhD in Visual Art.Her works hang in private and corporate collections worldwide, and in hospitals throughout Australia. Her research degree awarded at the age of 67years, explored the phenomenon of 'caring in nursing'. Her subject matter is greatly influenced by nature and her love of people. Now retired from nursing, she still sings to dying patients, and makes art from her sunlit studio, which overlooks a national park on the Gold Coast of Australia.You are invited to visit her website at: www.hazelmarycopeartist.com.au
Summary
Nurse to Doctor tracks one woman's journey from medical nurse to Visual Artist PhD and includes candid stories of tragedy, triumph, hilarity and human connection.
