Welcome to the Heart of Nursing
Cynthia L. Fannin, MSN, RN
Author | Nurse | Educator | Advocate
“Every patient has a story. And every story teaches us something about courage, compassion, and what it means to care.”
This book isn’t just about nursing; it’s about the people who shape us. In My Journey into Bedside Nursing, Cynthia L. Fannin opens the door to her world as a bedside nurse, where small moments often carry the biggest weight. Through real stories from the hospital floor, she shares the heartbreaks, triumphs, and quiet lessons that only a life in caregiving can reveal.
It’s honest. It’s human. And it’s a tribute to the sacred, everyday work of healing.
About The Author
Cynthia L. Fannin, MSN, RN
Cynthia L. Fannin, MSN, RN, is a lifelong caregiver, educator, and storyteller whose journey into nursing began with a homemade first-aid kit and a heart full of compassion. From a soft-spoken, imaginative child to a master’s-prepared nurse and assistant clinical professor, Cynthia’s life has been shaped by the calling to serve others.
With decades of hands-on experience at the bedside, she has cared for patients in their most vulnerable moments—offering not just medical care, but presence, empathy, and fierce advocacy. Her voice as a writer is honest, human, and deeply rooted in real life. Through her stories, she brings to light the emotional depth and moral complexity of nursing in a way few others can.
In My Journey into Bedside Nursing, Cynthia invites readers into the world she knows best—a world of late-night emergencies, quiet triumphs, and the enduring power of compassion.
About The Book
My Journey Into Bedside Nursing
In My Journey Into Bedside Nursing, Cynthia L. Fannin invites readers into the real world of patient care—one filled with raw moments, quiet miracles, and the kind of heartbreak only nurses truly understand. These are stories pulled straight from the bedside, told with honesty, humor, and deep compassion.
From last goodbyes to life-saving calls, Cynthia shares what it means to care for people not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. It’s not just a memoir—it’s a tribute to the patients who changed her, the families who stayed strong, and the nurses who keep showing up, even on the hardest days.
For anyone curious about the soul of nursing, this book offers a rare and unforgettable window in.
Includes heartfelt tributes
Cynthia honors her mother and sister, whose strength and love inspired her journey into nursing.
Real stories, real people
The chapter “I Wish I Would Have Known You” was shaped by unforgettable patient encounters.
Written in the trenches
Crafted while Cynthia served as a full-time assistant clinical professor, teaching while still deeply connected to bedside care.
Born from bedside reflections
This book grew from years of journaling, processing, and learning through firsthand patient care.
Interesting Facts About the Book
Inspired by a lifetime of nursing, teaching, and learning what it truly means to care.
Book Genre & Themes
Genre:
Memoir · Nursing Narrative · Medical Nonfiction
Themes:
- Compassion in action—what it truly means to care
- Emotional and spiritual healing at the bedside
- Honest reflections on life’s final moments
- The nurse as patient advocate and protector
- Family, loss, and the bonds that shape us
- The untold emotional cost of working in healthcare
Gallery
Readers’ Reviews
RN, Hospice Nurse
This book broke my heart open in the best way. Every story felt like a reminder of why we care, even when it’s hard.
BSN Student, Class of 2025
As a nursing student, I found this book honest, raw, and incredibly grounding. It gave me strength—and perspective—I didn’t know I needed.
Dr. Allen M
Internal Medicine