Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing - Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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Dear Diary July 5, 10343 — Our most memorable day; we arrived at M.G.H. to begin our train- ing. Registration, tea with Miss Johnson and her associates . . . tour of hospital . . . supper in cafeteria. . .taken out for a good time at night by our big sisters . . . then to bed at last. July 6 — 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. . .fin- ished packing and getting settled . . . more orientation. July 7 — more classes. . .visited the kids to get better acquainted. July 8 — wore our uniforms for the first time. . .worked on the wards. July 10 — another tour of the hospital. . . so many places to get lost in. July —Had a math test today. . . y 2 x 34 equals JJ of 100%????? July 12 — Had our first nursing quiz. . . whew, glad that’s over. July 13 — We are already making empty beds. . .does it seem possible???? Party on Walcott roof. . .really had a good time. July 14 — Worked on the wards all morning. . .cleaning bedside tables. July 16 — Had our first taste of M.G.H. shots . . . Barby Eckersall really fell for them. July ij — T.C.R. It was here that we were observed in making our empty bed today. “Where is that toe pleat?” “Do you think that drawsheet is tight?” “Are those corners made properly?” July 23 — Started occupational therapy projects — embroidered sampler squares. July 26- August 2 — This week was filled with monthly examinations — sure were glad when they were over. August 3 — Now we can make occupied beds, give back care. . .really feel as though things were being accomplished. August 4 — First monthly marks posted; Ach! August 6 — Parts of our cadet uniform issued — didn’t get much chance to wear them as they had to be given back. August 14 — Y-J day... the city went wild and so did 92 Charles street ... re- member the fire escape incident? August 22 — Big sister-little sister party at Lynn beach. . .the water was fine but the moon was finer. . . Rest of the class moved to Thayer. August 28 — TPR ' s ... thought we knew how to count but we don ' t. . .Second month blues... to think we have been here that long. September 4 — A new class of probies ar- rived today — if they only knew what they were in for. September 10 — First nursing care study due tomorrow . . . everyone stayed up ’til the wee hours of the morning working furiously to finish. September 18 — OPD excursion. . .how do those patients ever find their way around. September 28 — Another month gone by. October 3 — Snack party given by Misses Dorothy Johnson and Helen Belcher. I 24]

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being come into this world and to life was a truly remarkable sight. The nights on Richardson House and the good (?) fudge we made will never be forgotten —nor will the numerous beach parties in which we indulged!! We did manage to get into difficulties — strange visitors to our win- dows and sleeping in laundries — ooh that hard table!! Our truly great farewell party was the climax. I don’t know how we all managed to fit in that room, but when a certain supervisor walked in, we found so many places to hide. That was the fastest clean-up job a room ever re- ceived. Vacation again, and we returned rested and ready to face new problems and tasks. And so the days passed. Winter came with its billowy snow and we spent another Christmas in training. The Glee Club, so improved this year, caroled at North Sta- tion and on the radio. In January, Mc- Lean claimed a part of us. A vacation they said — but we remember all those floors we mopped and clothes we sorted and the continued refrain, “I want my tennis racquet!” Two big events in February- first our celebration of our second anniversary. Will we ever learn? The evening started and ended with a bang- -the trip home was something to remember. The second important event was that of receiving our senior bands— at last we were on the last lap of our journey in nursing and whether we admitted it or not, it helped our pres- tige to know we were seniors and to have those bands on our caps. At this time, plans for our senior activ- ities were started. Mrs. Crowley and Miss Raftery were chosen as advisors and with their help we were able to proceed. The main problem — that of raising funds for the yearbook loomed in the foreground. A gay strawberry festival on Bulfinch lawn in June was a sparkling success. In July our senior banquet was held at Hotel Sheraton. The Committee did a wonderful piece of work. In August, vaca- tions again — a short one this time for those who returned to M.G.H. only to leave for the Indians and the veterans. September arrived and several of the class found themselves to be student assistants — a job they never dreamed possible for themselves. “It’s here!” we said to one another as January came to a close. Rather hard to believe that the three years had already passed. Looking back, it seemed only yes- terday that we had eagerly blundered our ways to 92 Charles Street. And now, as graduate nurses, we separate, each to go her own way. We will never forget our three years at M.G.H., nor will we forget the many friends we made, the good times we had, the knowledge we gained. We leave with some regrets but we could never wish to prolong our three years or relive them for we are already looking forward to the future — to new fields — and new experiences! [23 ]

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October 4-October 16 — More procedures and observations . . . we are really learning what it takes to be a nurse. October ig — Having finals. October 20 — Second nursing care study due today. . .everyone looked as though they had had a good night’s sleep. October 2g — Anatomy final today; what did you put for that answer to question 100. . .“Where and what is the “orpcula- ris palprebrarum?” October 30- Our last TCR inspection — fine, except that someone forgot to dust the light switch. November - -Had a history of nursing final and a nursing monthly. . .what a discouraging day. November 4 Winter is here ... bridge is becoming one of our favorite indoor sports. November 3— Repeated our fourth nurs- ing monthly. November 16 — Party at Marcia Wade’s. Much fun. November ig — Medicine pouring on the ward . . . thought we knew that patient’s name but somehow, Mr. Jones got Mr. Brown’s octavites. November 22 — Can now give penicillins. November 23 Thanksgiving clay. . .we can be thankful that our Probie days are over. November 27— Enjoying the snow. . . having riotous times on the second, third and fourth floor alleys in Thayer. December 1-25 — Plans for the Christmas formal, candlelight service, etc . . . the closets are not big enough to hold our secrets well. Merry Christmas, dear diary. December 23 — Our first Christmas here . . .Santa was really good to us. . .enjoyed helping patients observe Christmas. December 31 — New Year’s eve and new bibs. January 1, 1346 — Lots of resolutions. January o- Excursions to Pendergast Preventorium. . .tea around the fireplace. February 4 — Beginning of our first vaca- tion. Such time-consuming plans made by all to sleep all three weeks getting up only to eat. February 24 - Back from vacation. . .full of vim and vigor, it says here. March 7 — New classes beginning. . . more “ologies.” April 13 — Midterms and midnight oil. May g — First aid final ... finally know the art of artificial respiration. May 13 — Here we come, OR. June 23 — Esplanade concerts and mos- quitoes have arrived hand in hand. July 4 — Anniversary of our country’s independence. . .we are still waiting for ours. July 3 — Our first anniversary. . .only two more years to go. September 2-December 3— Began our BLI affiliation . . . had a taste of delivery, block relief and very quiet night duties. December n — Vacation time again. . . made it home for Christmas this year. February , March, April, May, June and July 1347- -First group went to McLean . . . home was never like this .... The girls have also made the rounds of pediatrics, Eye and Ear and Haynes. [25]