Grace General Hospital - Our Days of Grace Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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‘VaU. ictor By A. Penner Tonight, as we graduate, we raise our anchors and launch out into the deep, proven waters of the nursing profession. The success of this first voyage depends largely upon the construction of the vessel. The structure of this began three short years ago; it is now finished, and we are ready to embark upon our maiden voyage. We might at this time consider the stages through which we have passed in this construction. We realize that the blueprints were drawn and approved many months before our arrival. From the mountain ranges of British Columbia to the wooded resort lands of Ontario, came the builders. Leaving the protective shelter of our homes, we gathered to begin the structure of a seaworthy ship. Every one of us will remember our first days at Grace Hospital. It was here, during our Pre-Clinical period, that we started building the hull of our ship. Many hours were spent in classes, and many evenings were spent huddled in some corner studying Anatomy and Physiology. Coffee breaks? Oh, yes. These were occasionally spent in pondering over situation questions in Nursing Arts. Finally, after months of seemingly endless study, came the Capping Ceremony. This was one of the major highlights of training. We solemnly pledged before God and man to live our lives in purity and to practise the nursing profession faithfully. Our hull now having been completed, we concentrated on the finer skills of the builders and continued with the finishing touches. These were our Intermediate and Senior years which included many phases of special training. How well we remember our stay in the Operating Room. As we watched the speed and skill of the Surgeons, we marvelled at the advances in Modern Surgery. We were proud to feel that we were part of the surgical team. How¬ ever, life in the Operating Room did not only consist of assisting in operations, for who can wash and oil operating room furniture as well as student nurses? Then on to the Case Room. We shall never forget the thrill of seeing a new life born. We stood in awe and marvelled at the creation of God. Public Health was the field where we helped to transfer nursing care into the home situation, and gained a better insight into Medical social work. Yes, looking back, we must mention our affiliations. Never shall we forget those long nights at Children’s Hospital when we counted the drops of a micro- drip. To our dismay, we sometimes found that our counting did not end with our shift; but as we closed our eyes, longing for a restful sleep, we counted micro-drops. 34

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JL yee % On the silken thread of our mortal lives Are three score pearls and ten; Though perchance the string may be incomplete — Pearls missing toward the end. Jlree “pearls As the choicest gem from the oyster shell Tells of the greatest pain, Even so our pearls will be sorted out, Not according to our gain: On the perfect string that is fairly matched They hang, with a graceful sweep, In graduated sequence strung From infancy to ... . sleep. But to long hours of honest toil, To disappointments, fears, The weariness of common tasks, The heartaches, and the tears. And the largest, most alluring pearls Are placed in the middle span; They speak of the years of service spent For God and fellowman. To our thread we have added three new pearls And we know, when the string’s complete, They will hang with the ones we value most As we lay us down to sleep. cJC etter to my V- a rents Dear Mom and Dad, I was just sitting here thinking about these past three years, about how wonderful you have been and could think of no better way to show my appreciation than to write you this letter. To-morrow night we graduate. You will be out there in the crowd, sitting back and letting me take all the glory. But really you should be up there on the stage with me for it is you who deserve to receive most of the credit for this moment. Remember three years ago when I entered training? That was a big step in my life; a step that can never again be equalled. It was you who encouraged me to take that step, to venture out on my own but who still remained near to give moral support. Remember too those first six months? I think it was you, Dad, who suffered „ most during that period — your pocketbook at any rate. Seriously though you both were there giving me encouragement and support when I was feeling dis¬ couraged and laughing with me when I told of my many blunders. Then came the Capping Ceremony when we were officially accepted into the training school. You were there then, in the audience as I took that first step up the ladder. The second and third year have now slipped quickly by. Thinking back I remember all the small and large crises I came up against and always you were there, encouraging, sympathizing, sometimes scolding but always ready to lend a helping hand. In these three years I hope I have justified your pride in me and in the future I hope to continue to live up to the standards that you encouraged me to follow. In closing I say “thank you.” This is a very small word to express the deep appreciation I have for yo ur constant faith, guidance, and assistance. I can only thank God for having two wonderful parents like you. Your loving daughter, 33

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Then, we also had the privilege of spending three months at Selkirk Hospital for Mental Diseases. This has broadened our scope in the field of Psychiatry and given us a much better insight into and understanding of the human mind. On reminiscing over experiences, I believe none of us will ever forget evenings on 3rd Centre. Remember that evening when you had eight post¬ operatives, seven pre-operatives, plus three emergency admissions? Oh, for a pair of roller skates! We can vividly recall our night terms. That first night on 3rd North, while each sound and creak appeared to be multiplied ten-fold, we made our rounds with our chin and back as stiff as the starched cap on our head. To sum up the Diet Kitchen and Pharmacy—we made enough milk shakes and poured enough Zephiran to float our ships! To the Salvation Army, Grace Hospital School of Nursing, and all who have assisted in the construction of this vessel, we offer our sincere appreciation. Colonel Gage, our Superintendent—we want to show our appreciation and thank you for the continued interest you have shown in the welfare of the students. Major McGregor, the director of our School of Nursing—thank you for that listening ear when we came with our problems; your guidance and under¬ standing has been a constant encouragement to us. Miss Seeman, our Educational Director, Instructors and Members of the Nursing School Office—without your careful planning, teaching, and patience we could not have completed our structure. May you continue to hold the standards high thus constructing vessels that can stand the test. Doctors—we shall never forget your kindness and understanding; the hours you spent in trying to explain a procedure or disease to us. Well do we remember the first time you called, “Nurse, would you please help me?” We looked around; where is the nurse? It gives us great pleasure to say “Thank- you.” Parents—words can never express our gratitude towards you. Mom and Dad, you have been a constant source of encouragement to us. Without your love, guidance, assistance, and, oh yes, those food parcels from home, we could not have completed our structure. Undergraduates—-we have enjoyed working with you sharing joy and sorrow. This day you are called to assume new responsibilities, your heritage from the graduating class. We challenge you to be courageous and to give your¬ selves unselfishly to this your chosen profession, which provides a sacred opportunity for cheerful and Christ-like service. We cannot individually thank all with whom we have come in contact during our three years. To Supervisors, House mothers, Head Nurses and many others who have assisted in this construction, we say, thank you. Fellowgraduates—I am deeply honored to speak on your behalf tonight. We have come to this milestone with mixed emotions. We are happy because we have completed our vessel and can now launch out upon our maiden voyage. We are sad because we must bid farewell to each other and to the pleasant associations we have formed. The structure has been completed. We must now launch out and prove the workmanship. As we weigh anchor from our home port tonight, we shall each navigate in many directions. We realize how necessary it is that we take Christ as our Pilot, and our earnest prayer is,— Jesus, Saviour pilot me, Over life’s tempestuous sea, Unknown waves around me roll, Hiding rocks and treach’rous shoal, Chart and compass come from Thee, Jesus Saviour pilot me. 35