About the book
Stockholm, 1883. The standard of hospital care in Sweden is often dire to the point of dangerous but Queen Sophia has forged a plan: she will establish a nursing school inspired by Florence Nightingale — where the principles of good hygiene and fresh air are placed at the core of the curriculum – and then send trained nurses to serve in hospitals across Sweden.
Charlotte, Gerda, Ragnhild, and Vera become the first four students to move into the Queen’s new nurses’ home. They rapidly learn that caring for the sick and terminally ill is demanding and often pure drudgery, and that they must also contend with downright misogyny from many male doctors. But all is not lost. Gratitude and appreciation come from the patients, the Queen and each other. These first four women share joys and sorrows, hopes and despairs, and form lifelong friendships.
The popular Sophia Sisters rapidly grow in numbers but male skepticism towards the young women persists. Exasperated, Queen Sophia realizes that she must found a new teaching hospital that will both operate to the highest nursing and medical standards — and reflect her values. Sophiahemmet Hospital opens in 1889.
Over time, and against the background of considerable medical breakthroughs, the Sophia Sisters and Swedish nurses from other hospitals begin to recognize their worth and band together. The Swedish Society of Nursing is founded in 1910, marking a significant milestone in the profession.
Both Sophiahemmet Hospital and its adjoining nursing school remain highly-respected, world-class establishments to this day.
