The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder

Using specific moments from the text, describe the warning signs that Charlie wasn’t who he pretended to be.

How does the form of this book contribute to the reader’s understanding of events? Discuss the two halves of the book, the perspective changes, and the use of footnotes.

What steps have been taken to prevent another nurse like Charlie from practicing? What steps do you think should be taken that haven’t yet been?

Both Charlie and Amy have personalities that externally are very different from how they feel internally and behave when no one is around. Pick one of these two figures and analyze the differences between their interior and exterior selves.

Compare and contrast Amy and Charlie, both as people and nurses. Use evidence from the text to support your comparison.

What different types of trauma are represented in this book? How does interacting with trauma impact the decisions of those involved?

Describe the author’s use of medical jargon. What purpose does this serve? Is he effective in the language he uses?

This book is told through the limited third-person point of view, often switching between different people. Why does the author focus on the people he does? Why do you think he changes perspectives when he does?