Charlotte Memorial Hospital School of Nursing - Lamp Yearbook (Charlotte, NC)

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o. HISTORY N SEPTEMBER 1, 1943, thirty nine young ladies entered this School of Nursing to begin three years of nursing education. Added to the already tremendous thrill of becoming nurses, our group was the first class to enter under the Cadet Corps program. We gazed in awe as stacks of books were heaped in our eager arms, not realizing how many more would follow. That evening we were graciously entertained by the student body at a lawn party. Nightfall came, bringing ' lights out ' at 10:30 P. M. There would possibly have been many wet pillows, had not a strange event intervened. Six minutes after our heads hit the pillows, they were brought up again by an air raid alarm. By the time this subsided, tears were forgotten in the excitement and anticipation of the day when we could do our part in such emergencies. The first month passed so fast we wondered where it went. We began classes, millions of them — it seemed, buried our noses in books, and handled bones that we never knew existed. Another month passed, and we donned our blue-striped uniforms, at last to put into practice all the knowledge absorbed in the past two months. Finally, after what seemed an eternity (but really just six months), we received the caps so long admired. We were ones to be envied now, and believe me, that was a boost. In May 1944, we were officially inducted into the Cadet Corps along with other cadets of this district. Fall and winter came, bringing our first anniversary. The wonders of O.R., O.B., and Pediatrics began to unfold before our bewildered eyes. These experiences were invaluable, as we accepted the responsibility of second year students. Spring and summer months fled by, leaving many pleasant memories, parties, dances, picnics, swimming and sun bathing. Fall and winter came again, bringing our second anniversary this time. This event was celebrated by a dinner party. As seniors, we began plans for publication of the first school annual. By the last of October, we had completed our class-work and had more time to spend in the hospital. The following months were filled with hard work, and in our leisure hours we learned the difficulties of producing a year book. As the general direction of our goal beckons us on, we realize we have not suffered any extraordinary hardships, nor can we claim any great personal achievement. We merely took advantage of knowledge gained by those before us, and so added a short paragraph to the magnificent story of nursing. Now with our grand finale so near, we know that we have been able to keep on cur course. Our spirit is still a matter of wonder to me. WILLIE B. ASHE Historian Page Twenty-Six