Outskirts Press author Jacqueline Spencer and her book, Nursing Jambalaya with Gumbo on the Side: Nurses Speak Out, were featured recently in an article on D’Youville College’s website. Spencer, who published her book last fall, is a 1978 graduate of Buffalo, NY, institution.
Nursing Jambalaya is a non-fiction book that sheds light on the nursing profession with insight – and a healthy 
dose of humor – from three insiders with nearly a century combined nursing experience.
“I wanted to give today’s nurses and nursing students something to look back at and to include some humorous situations that happened to me and my co-authors,” Spencer told D’Youville College. “I’m very proud of my profession and wanted to share with it with others.”
Spencer, RN, BSN, Lynell Whittington-Brignac (RN) and Beverly S. Ward, RN, MSN, leaned on more than 30 years’ nursing experience each in their collaboration. With Nursing Jambalaya with Gumbo on the Side, the three debunk many of the misconceptions about the profession and reveal truths about nursing that even many practicing professionals don’t know.
The book offers entertaining revelations to those considering a nursing career, or active nurses who want to explore other facets of the profession, such as research, education or public health outreach. Both types of readers will come away with a greater appreciation and understanding of the calling, and perhaps a few laughs along the way.
Spencer is the author of two other books, You’ve Got a Friend and Love Has No Conscience, under her pen name, Girlras. Lynell Whittington-Brignac is a graduate of Lamar University and has three decades’ experience in medical/surgical and psychiatric nursing. Beverly Ward is a nurse educator with 30 years’ clinical nursing experience and is pursing her doctoral degree in education for higher learning at Walden University.
