Chesapeake and Ohio Hospital School of Nursing - Aeneid Yearbook (Huntington, WV)

Page 18 text:

Capping is one of the greatest events in the life of any nurse—a solemn, but joyful moment that comes only once in a lifetime. It rep¬ resents achievement, as well as a challenge for the future. A cap is symbolic of the nursing profession, its dignity, and its responsibilites in the modern world. [ 16 ]

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I awoke early Sunday morning, stretched and yawned—then it occurred to my dazed and sleepy brain that this was the eighteenth of September—the day I would be launched in my train¬ ing career! I was instantly wide awake. Without my usual hesitation, I sprang from bed. My thoughts were a tumult of terror, eagerness, and curiosity. It was like Christmas morning when I still believed in Santa Claus, and yet—it was like going to school to take a test for which I hadn’t studied. I raised the shades a little and peered outside into the early morning. Rain was coming down in steady even sheets, spattering on the window pane and collecting in little pools in the yard. I realized the truth of the old saying; “Into each life some rain must fall,” but I felt there had been a cloud burst in mine when I remembered that my raincoat was packed in the bottorri of my trunk. At the nurses’ home, I found several girls running to and from cars carrying boxes, bags, and trunks. These girls, I knew, were to be my classmates and friends in the months and years to come. My father gave me a hand with my luggage, and I began the task of “moving in.” One of my former classmates was to be my roommate, so I didn’t feel quite alone. Other girls were moving in, discussing locker space, dresser space, examining every nook and corner of the rooms, reaching decisions about which side belonged to whom. We met in the reception room for a tea attended by our parents, several ministers from town, our faculty, older students, and, of course, twenty-three new students. It was a more-or-less “get- acquainted” affair, orienting us to a friendly environment. A little wave of homesickness crept over me as my folks drove away, but I smiled. That night, we all got together, talked, looked at pictures, and learned to know each other a little better. There was a mad rush for the showers, much splashing of water, giggling, and telling jokes. At last this mania was subdued, and the only sounds audible were muffled whispers between beds. Then every¬ thing was quiet. I lay awake awhile, thinking of home, the day just past, and wondering about the days that would follow. I realized that my childhood was unbelievably, but unmistakably gone—that this day had created a chasm between me and my past which I could never re-cross. I thought of all the nurses I had seen in white uniforms, starched and spotless, their white caps giving them a charm and dignity which I envied. 1 felt that there would be a lot of hard work, and that there would be days when I would be weary, homesick, and heartbroken. I had no assurance that I would ever be a nurse, but I n ' solved to try. I IT)}

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layer The world grows brighter year by year. Because some nurse in her little sphere Puts on her apron, and smiles, and sings. And keeps on doing the same old things. Taking the temperatures, giving the pills T 0 remedy mankind’s numerous ills. Feeding the babies, answering the bells. Being polite with a heart that rebels. Longing for home, and all the while Wearing the same old professional smile. Blessing the new-born baby’s first breath Closing the eyes that are stilled in death. Taking the blame for all mistakes. Oh, dear! what a lot of patience it takes. Going off duty at seven o’clock Tired, discouraged, and ready to drop. But called out to help at seven-fifteen. With woe in the heart that must not be seen. Morning and evening, noon and night. Just doing it over, hoping it’s right. When we report off to cross the bar. Dear Lord, will you give us — Just one little star To wear on the caps of our uniform new In the ward above, where the head nurse IS YOU.