Recollections of a student nurse from 1947
Our Uniforms
The Our uniforms were laundered by the hospital. The loose fitting dress had tiny blue and white checks. The pinafores were in two pieces. They were stiffly starched and pressed flat, and we fastened the bib and apron together with button links and plastic studs the nights before we were to wear them. They were so stiff, they could literally stand up by themselves.
We also fastened the stiff white collar to the cotton dress, thus changing it from soft, comfortable garment to a miserable stiff binder around our necks. We rubbed bar soap around the fold of the collar where it would be next to our rubbed raw.
Next morning we crossed the pinafore straps in the back of our uniforms and fastened them to the waistband with more studs or links, and the waistband fastened in the back by the same method. Once our armour was donned, we were off for an adventure day of working and learning.
Compassion is the ability to be with suffering, along with the desire to transform it.
What People Are Saying
“You and your team work so very hard and show a wonderful commitment to the holistic care of our family members! Grateful every day!!!”
— Lynn, Family member
“I just wanted to say thank you for everything. Working in such a positive, supportive work environment has been so amazing. Thank you for all the hard work you all do!”
— Alyssa, Health care worker”
“It is very soothing here, no one rushes in or out, people are friendly and I am enjoying my stay so far.”
— Joe, Resident”
“We’ve been wrong about what our job is in medicine. We think our job is to ensure health and survival. But really it is larger than that. It is to enable well-being.”
- Dr. Atul Gawande, author of Being Mortal