|
|
|
|
Browsing the Alumnae "Minutes" From the Memory Booklet of the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing Reunion 1971 As early as March 1, 1917, we find Margaret Ward, Hazel Martin, Carolyn Harden and Anna Seaberg listed as our first officers. Meetings were sporadic and we find the first Alumnae Banquet for the Class of 1918-1919 being held April 30, 1919. Informality was the order of the day, with this from June 12, 1919, "In the shade of the willow tree in St. Joseph’s yard, roll call was answered by Mother M. Joseph, K. Holehouse, H. Martin, Carolyn Harden, Phoebe Thynne and Veronica Healey." Members were fined 25 cents for each meeting missed. Whether or not to wear colored shoes or white shoes came up for discussion, resulting in each nurse wearing what she liked. Rings and jewelry were out, since "pupil nurses" were prohibited from wearing of jewelry while on duty. In the period of 1917-1925, we find the nurses established a Registry for our own alumnae who were doing "Private Duty." Foreign nurses (not our own graduates) paid $2.00 per year for this privilege. Remuneration for a 12-hour day was $3.00. The alumnae financed the expenses of one person to attend the district nurses’ meetings providing she was off duty. One of the first major projects listed was the purchase of tables and chairs for the library. Each alumnae member was assessed $25 to be paid in four quarterly payments. Flowers and/or cards were sent to sick members. In 1926, we find a sizeable donation of books to the hospital library. It is of interest to note that the business office collected fees from the patients having the services of private duty nurses. Meetings were held quarterly. Private duty nurses were earning $6.00 per day in 1929, and vocalized their objection to 12-hour duty for the first time. The graduates of 1931 held their Commencement Exercises in the Ottumwa Heights College Auditorium. A trend from private duty to general staff nursing occurred around 1932, when nurses registered for "Hourly Nursing." They were paid by the hour, rather than for shift worked. Private duty nurses in Ottumwa agreed to accept $35 per week, regardless of the nature of the illness of the patient they were nursing. Discussions led to a desire for more frequent meetings and these became a reality. Married nurses were forbidden to register at the registry kept at the switchboard. The legal aspects of nursing were a concern, since nurses were warned not to shave their patients for fear of nicking and risking a lawsuit. Could you believe that the combination of Alumnae and district dues was only $4.00 per year? The Alumnae financed the redecorating of the hospital library in 1934. Community concerns were ours as early as in 1935 when $5.00 was contributed to the Community Chest Fund. This contribution was made annually. A room at St. Joseph Hospital was furnished and maintained for a period of time in which sick nurses utilized this room free of charge (sic). The idea of 8-hour shifts was discussed and tabled to be brought up at a later date. The annual Alumnae Christmas Party was first held in December of 1946. The June 18, 1947 Alumnae meeting was cancelled due to the worst flood in the City of Ottumwa. Professionalism in nursing was "in" in 1949. Some professional morsel in form of a movie, lecture, or talk was part of the program of each meeting. As early as 1950, our graduates realized that in order to have nurses, we must help recruit them. A student loan, non-interest bearing, was established to assist the student in our nursing program who needed some financial assistance. To date, the Alumnae have assisted many students in their nursing education. Most of the year of 1954 was spent preparing for the 40th anniversary reunion held September 1, 1954. A newspaper "Echoes" was published twice yearly and sent to all members. The annual dance held for the purpose of strengthening our alumnae and providing an income for the nursing scholarship became a reality in 1958. One department a year was to receive a $25 gift from the Alumnae Association. This practice was phased out several years ago. The possibility of Mandatory Licensure was first presented by the A.N.A. and District Associations in 1959. Many programs were piloted around the discussion and study of proposed licensure for nurses. Nineteen sixty-four was a banner year for the alumnae. The year was spent planning the 50th anniversary of the Nursing School and was held on the hospital grounds, July 21, 1964, with 500 persons attending. Through the years we find our graduates finding employment in the United States and Canada; serving in the armed forces; working on or with the S.S. Hope; and serving as missionaries in Korea, India, South America. The Vista and Pavla programs have been a challenge to several of our graduates. Others have chosen to work with the underprivileged in the ghettos of the large cities, minority groups in Iowa and Appalachia. We find our graduates where the need is. Plans for this reunion were begun last September. 1970-1971 has been a period of planning homecoming activities. When the last class of St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing have been graduated in June of 1971, a total of 702 students will have become out alumnae. We, the graduates of St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, are a dedicated response to the people whom we serve and are happy and proud of the heritage which has helped us grow, develop and be the nurses we have been challenged to be.
|
|
contact reunions@mchsi.com Copyright 2007 Last updated 1 July 2007 back to home This site is supported in part by sales of merchandise featuring photos of these historic buildings. Click HERE to visit the gift shop
|
