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

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September Class History These sketches cast but few reflections upon the eventful history of our class. How well we recall that first sunny day when we crossed the lofty threshold and entered into the M.G.H. world. Four months of getting ac- quainted, rushing to classes, cramming for tests and trembling as we tried to remember which way to fold, bend and think in T.C.R. Then on January 13, 1946, we cast off our gray, drab, formless garments and donned our blues and the precious white caps. That transformation improved the patient’s morale as well as our own. The June formal came and went in a burst of glory and happiness. Then came our first summer at M.G.H. — a summer heated by the hot packs in Bulfinch and cooled by the sails on the Charles. It was fun and before we knew it, a new class was entering and we were now members of the elite upper class. This second year sent us flying in all direc- tions. The O.R., the unforgettable D.K. (es- pecially on Bulfinch 3), pediatrics with its moving from old Wards 10 and 12 to the lush- carpeted new home in the Burnham building, and many other services that will always leave their memories. Part of the class went to B.L.I. and came back with tales of peri- carts, absent safety-pins, battles in the labor room and fears of a certain supervisor.

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a Snow Party and a dinner at the Good Earth. Happily we added the little white band to our caps. It wasn’t long before some of our students ventured out on the Districts for a period of Public Health Nursing, which consisted of much teaching. About this time we started our Pediatric experiences in the new Burnham Building; we had three months of formulae, diapers, and rest hour. Now came new privileges for the students in the form of more lates, and “no lights’’ off hour . Things were looking up! When winter arrived we were off on our second vacations, three weeks in which to relax, have fun, and sleep late without alarm clock worries. Upon return to the General we found ourselves at different dormitories; we were sprinkled among North Grove, Parkman, and W alcott Houses. Spring of 1948 found us busy with rehears- als and plans for the big Minstrel Show which we presented in April; talent popped out from the most unexpected places and a gala show with dancing girls, singers, and comedians was enjoyed by everyone — will we ever stop humming those tunes? June, 1948 was a busy month for all; the of-doors in front of Bulhnch was held, and we were in the Graduating Class! W 7 e had the thrill of don- ning white for the first time and wearing that wide black band. The June Formal was re- puted to be the dance of the year, and as soon as all the social highlights were over, we settled down to making plans for our Year- book. Editors and writers were elected, and plans for raising money were underway. In July we gave a Strawberry Festival which was enjoyed by all in the Brick Corri- dor; several fudge and brownie sales followed. Then in September a gala Bazaar was held which lasted two days and was very successful financially. October meant a Hallowe’en party at Lincoln and in November we held our Senior Ball at the Beaconsheld; that was an evening we’ll never forget. Our third Christmas in training found most of us getting home, seeing some of the big games, and attending our Christmas formal dance. January was the busiest month in train- ing; we had our Senior Banquet and our Bac- calaureate Services and finally came that day of days, February 4, 1949 — Graduation Day! Selma and Barbara

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Others went to McLean and lived the life of Riley. The middle of the year was marked by the minstrel show which was such fun and so profitable. Can we ever forget those songs, dances and bad jokes? May of 1948 saw great changes in our lives. Everyone went into checks, we could smoke in the dining hall, mid-morning coffee was served and the new probie program was announced. Things were certainly looking up. June was dated by the hospital celebra- tion of its seventy-fifth anniversary. With time flying by, we started to concentrate on that all-important business of money-earning. Dances every other week, strawberry festi- vals, sales and outings started to fill our class pockets so by the tune September rolled around we were planning and spending for our yearbook. September — seniors now and on the home stretch toward graduation. As this book goes to press, we have this last year still before us. So much to look for- ward to! Our senior banquet, and dance, buy- ing uniforms, paying the ever-mounting breakage fee, dashing off case studies, pack- ing too much into too little and finishing up our ward services. Training is nearly over but the memories which it has given us of pa- tients, classes, friends, fun and discipline will never be forgotten.