Joan Woodcock always dreamed of becoming a nurse, and in 1966 the dream came true. From her very first day as a naive 16-year-old cadet, standing nervously outside the matron's office, this is Joan's story of an eventful career spanning over 40 years in NHS nursing.

Joan Bakewell has led a varied, sometimes breathless life: she has been a teacher, copywriter, studio manager, broadcaster, journalist, the government's Voice of Older People and chair of the theatre company Shared Experience. She has written four radio plays, two novels and an autobiography. Now in her 80s, she is still broadcasting. Though it may look as though she is now part of the establishment - a Dame, President of Birkbeck College, a Member...