The Last Nurse

Since Sam Carter was a child, she dreamt of becoming a real-life superhero. After experiencing the loss of her brother at a young age, Sam realized that maybe not all heroes fit the same mold. At just seven years old, Sam vowed to one day become a hero for the people, like her brother, who just couldn't be saved. She vowed to become a hospice nurse. As Sam grows, professionally and personally, she comes to learn that being a nurse is equal parts rewarding and grueling. When death is your job, life can be hard to navigate. She finds herself quickly turning to alcohol to cope with her ever-growing anxiety, depression, and self-doubt. With each passing year, Sam's alcohol consumption becomes more of a dependency than a stress reliever, forcing her to start confronting her past and inevitably—her future. What if Sam isn't the hero of her story after all?

"Don't the people who can't be saved need heroes, too?" Since Sam Carter was a child, she dreamt of becoming a real-life superhero. After experiencing the loss of her brother at a young age, Sam realized that maybe not all heroes fit the same mold. On that cold December day—the day Sam's world changed forever—she discovered she wanted to become a different type of hero. A hero like the last nurse who cared for her brother. A nurse who helped ease her pain, taking away her fear in that life-altering moment. A hospice nurse. As Sam grows, professionally and personally, she comes to learn that being a nurse is equal parts rewarding and grueling. When death is your job, life can be hard to navigate. Her coping mechanisms to rein in her ever-growing anxiety, depression, and self-doubt range from her favorite movies, to her best friends—and eventually to alcohol. With each passing year, Sam's alcohol consumption becomes more of a dependency than a stress reliever, forcing her to start confronting her past as it resurfaces. What if Sam isn't the hero of her story? What if she's the villain?

Dani King worked as a hospice registered nurse for six years before transitioning into the field of oncology. When she is not donning scrubs, she is spending time with her husband, Josh and their two dogs, Oliver and Remington. Or she's actively planning her next Disneyland trip. Dani is proudly living a life without alcohol and is striving to share the importance of mental health and her journey with sobriety. You can find Dani on Instagram and TikTok @danikingwrites. The Last Nurse is Dani King's first novel.