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

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DEDICATED TO THE GIRLS IN THE HOSPITAL IN SEPTEMBER: Said one little germ to another one day I think we should all get together And plan an attack without delay To show other germs that we’re clever. Pneumonia supporters—they gathered with haste A decision they made right away — “Why should the nurses we escape? So it’s off to the Grace without delay.” Before very long they had picked their prey They attacked her with such a great hurry — Then ’twas on to the second and then to the third The numbers soon grew in a flurry. But the doctors and internes and nurses of course Said, “This attack must come to an end Sharpen the needles and get out the pills We’ll soon get those girls on the mend.” I forgot to mention one wee little fact That the nurses taken ill too Were admitted to hospital without hesitation But did that only add to their woe!! Now they were punctured from the right and the left By the kids from their very own class With bedrest enforced they were tossed back and forth While the bed was made for inspection to pass. They were examined of course from head to toe And x-rays were taken with glee The lab made their visits right on the dot And took their blood for free. For nurses this treatment was just too much Their antibodies went right to work And before too long, they were up and about And you’d swear they hadn’t a quirk. So pneumonia supporters they had to retreat The girls at the Grace were too strong For their spirit and zest for work and play Could not hold them down for long. —R. Beattie, ’62 I’d rather be a “could-be” If I could not be an “are,” For a “could-be” is a “may-be,” With a chance of touching par. I’d rather be a “has-been” Than a “might-have-been” by far; For a “might-have-been” has never been, But a “has” was once an “are.” QUALITIES OF A NURSE Memory of an Elephant. Strength of a Horse. Endurance of a Camel. Meekness of a Lamb. Tread of a Cat. Dignity of a Peacock. Agility of a Monkey. Faithfulness of a Dog. Patience of a Cow. AND a Ladylike Demeanor. SPEAKING OF CLOSETS Probies: Simple and sweet. Juniors: Tidy and neat. Intermediates: “Fair” could fit it. Seniors: Cyclone hit it. C77,e by Edgar A. Guest That cap the nurse on duty wears Is costlier than the bonnets gay Worn by wives of millionaires Regardless of the price they pay. ’Tis something she herself can make, A bit of linen, trimmed and turned The right to sit (for mercy’s sake) Was with three years of training earned. That uniform of spotless white Was costlier than a lady’s gown, ’Twas bought with care by day and night For those with illness stricken down. The royal robes show royal birth But every nurse’s simple pin Is emblematic of her worth; A symbol she has toiled to win. Oh, gracious spirit, love imbued, That can such tender care accord, Perhaps it is, that gratitude Must always be your best reward. Now out of gratitude appears This tribute, done in simple verse Unto the dedicated years Of all who choose to be a nurse. 75

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O.JV. 4. ennia [ yVleeting - 3 Calif-ax - itne I960 by Miss B. Seeman It is fitting that you should have something about the Biennial Meeting of the Canadian Nurses’ Association in your Yearbook—for, we, at the Grace Hospital played our small part in that Biennial which may well prove to be a landmark in Canadian Nursing History. The reason for this? Grace was one of the twenty-five schools chosen for the pilot study —and the report of that study occupied the spotlight at this Convention. Now, let’s start at the beginning. This was a church service Sunday evening—It augers well for the future of Canadian nursing that the large ancient Anglican church—St. Paul’s—where the Protestant service was held—was filled to capacity. Monday morning proceedings commenced with wel¬ comes from city and provincial dignitaries—the group on the platform at this time having been “piped” in by two student nurses wearing kilts of the Nova Scotian tartan. The remainder of the morning session was given over to the “keynote” address. Each biennium—at the closing session— the President gives a watchword for the ensuing two years. For 1958-60 it was “Faith”—and so the opening address at the 1960 meetings was on “Faith”. It was given us by Rev. John B. Hardie— a professor of Old Testament literature—described by our President, Mile. Alice Girard as being a “man of great humility with a sense of humour.” No one who heard this address will ever forget it. Next day was occupied with a discussion of the report of the pilot study—“Behind the Scenes on Accreditation” being presented by Rev. Sr. Denise Lefebore who had chaired the planning committee and “Spotlight on Nursing Education” by Miss Helen Mussallem, Director of the study. The Presi¬ dent “confided” to the meeting that during delibera¬ tions in the Executive meetings, Sr. Lefebore had become known as the “Mother of Accreditation” and Miss Mussallem as “Miss Accreditation”. To over-simplify and tell you briefly about this session —the study has brought to light such facts as that only four of the twenty-five schools surveyed would likely have met Accreditation standards; that one- third of the instructors in Schools of Nursing are not qualified; that there is a wide discrepancy in conditions in nursing schools. There are also today many different types of nursing programs including two-year programs for registered nurses, while there has been a suggestion in some areas that the practical nurse course be extended to two years. With these along with other considerations—the recommendations of the report encompassed the following—that the entire field of nursing education be studied; that the C.N.A. establish an Accredita¬ tion program and that, before this is initiated, Schools be assisted to upgrade their educational programs. When the voting took place on Friday, the report was adopted without a dissenting vote— amid high excitement and exultation. In fact, it was greeted with song. Other programs centred around such present-day problems as rehabilitation—showing the part played by a psychologist, social worker, nurse and others— in the rehabilitation of one individual; hospital insurance and its implications for nursing; nursing legislation; and discussion of committee reports and activities of the C.N.A. Many special speakers con¬ tributed immeasurably to the deliberations. There were special programs and entertainment for students, too, and their reports were excellent. They were disappointed when a motion tt establish a C.S.N.A. was defeated—we trust only temporarily. It does need more planning. It wasn’t all work. The Nova Scotians made plans for our comfort and entertainment that will be difficult to equal and impossible to surpass—and that in the face of a strike that forced them to revise their original plans. There was a garden party in the beautiful public gardens—17 acres—right across from the Lord Nelson Hotel where Major McGregor and I stayed; a cruise around Halifax harbour; a lobster supper, and an evening reception—to say nothing of the multitude of Alumnae get-togethers and meetings with old friends. One personal note in closing. Attending such a Biennial is a very great privilege that comes to fortunate people; I found it exciting, challenging and humbling. When your turn comes, I can only hope that your pleasure will be as great as was mine. 76