Boston College - Sub Turri Yearbook (Boston, MA)

Page 22 text:

— iigTuj practical . . . experience our instructors that we were worthy of the profession ' s symbol, the nurse ' s cap. The long- awaited ceremony took place in St. Ignatius ' Church, and as we received our caps we were told, Your life is one of dedication, but the rewards are bountiful. This was a special day in our nursing career, one that will long remain in the category of fondest memories. As Juniors we prepared to leave our residence at City. The dorm was in turmoil as borrowed garments were returned, books and uniforms packed, and farewells abounded. It was a sad day, too, for this was the first time in two years that the class was separated. However, we found consolation in anticipating our reunion in the newly dedicated Cushing Hall. In small groups we set out for various hospitals throughout the state to undertake more concentrated study. Some of us moved to the Children ' s Medical Center for study in pediatrics, others went off to either Metropolitan State Hospital or the Institute of Living for psychiatric experience, and still others headed for the Rutland V.A. Hos- pital for long term illnesses or to St. Margaret ' s for obstetrics. The life was like that of the wan- dering minstrel, spending three months at each location and then moving on to the next. And finally, our itinerary closed as we com- pleted our Senior year on campus. But the end is only the beginning to a life symbolized in a lighted candle and a white uniform. ' the end is only the beginning 18

Page 21 text:

Remember that first introduction to the Bos- ton College School of Nursing, when our ' big sisters ' wrote and warned of the many perils awaiting us? They welcomed us with a seemingly invincible challenge, but as daring and fearless aspirants to the profession, we accepted — if Flor- ence Nightingale, Elizabeth Vose and Lucy Drown could survive, then why couldn ' t we? As Freshmen, our first inoculations were lib- eral arts and basic science courses. Although the dosage was greater than ten cc ' s, we did manage a few extra-curricular activities such as the bi- weekly Sodality meetings, the warbling sessions with Fr. Gorman, S.J., and the few football games that we refused to miss. And without the many Student Faculty meetings, we might have been a lonely Freshman class, instead of an active and important unit in the school functions. After three semesters had passed and our basic courses were replaced by more specialized study, the crucial test for a nurse was at hand, To be or not to be. Here our gypsy life commenced as we established domicile in the Early Victorian and residential South End. We attacked the wards of the Boston City Hospital so eager to care for our first victims. Somehow we survived the obstacles of ' hypos ' , sterile technique, im- patient patients, and bedpans. And after a few month ' s practical and comprehensive experience in nursing care, we proved to ourselves and to 17

Page 23 text:

j PS J$ ' lr ' JIR.|H ' Student-Faculty meetings ' ' newly dedicated Cushing Hall ' ' a lighted candle 1