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

Page 9 text:

Miss Dorothy Mahoney “Mercy has a human face . . . Kindness a human heart” We started in September of 1965 with 134 strong . . . but frightened freshmen who were too inhibited to look beyond our microscopes and bed linen to see our instructors as anything but towering paragons of perfection. When the newness wore off and our level of confidence reached a new high, we found ourselves gaz- ing at the threshold of junior year. Professional relationships took on a deeper meaning. It was here amongst the cry of babies and the laughter of children at play that we met someone who grew to be an everpresent influence and guide. Miss Mahoney’s winning glow and sincere interest won her the admiration of us all. Her contributions to our class are innumerable. She was mainly responsible for our parents day program, she strongly supported the students as advisor to dorm board and as an active member of the student-faculty relationships commit- tee, and she vigorously planned and participated in the proctor workshop to make it a success. Miss Mahoney is a dynamic nurse, an inspiring instructor, a dedicated teacher, and above all a sincere and true friend. For these and many unspoken reasons, we dedicate this, our yearbook, to Miss Dorothy Mahoney. 5

Page 11 text:

Ever since Florence Nightingale studied under the Sisters of Charity and devel- oped her own system, nursing has been undergoing revisions and advancements. At times, the change seemed so gradual that it was almost negligible, and at other times conditions seemed so destitute that some change was almost inevitable. Can you imagine a modern day nurse doing tracheostomy care with long flowing sleeves and starched white cuffs, or living in a cloister with a satisfied mind as her only salary? Today these ideas are not only outdated but impractical. The fol- lowing excerpt includes many nursing duties of the past. In addition to caring for your fifty patients each nurse will follow these regulations: 1. Daily sweep and mop the floors of your ward, dust the patient’s furniture and window sills. 2. Maintain an even temperature in your ward by bringing in a scuttle of coal for the day’s business. 3. Light is important to observe the patient’s condition. Therefore, each day fill kerosene lamps, clean chimneys, and trim wicks. Wash the windows once a week. 4. Each nurse on day duty will report every day at 7 a.m. and leave at 8 p.m., except on the Sabbath on which you will be off from noon to 2 p.m. 5. Graduate nurses in good standing with the director of nurses will be given an evening oflT each week if you go regularly to church. 6. Any nurse who smokes, uses liquor in any form, gets her hair done at a beauty shop, or frequents dance halls will give the director of nurses good reason to suspect her worth, intentions, and integrity. 7. Each nurse should lay aside from each pay day a goodly sum of her earn- ings for her benefits during her declining years, so that she will not become a burden. For example, if you earn $30 a month you should set aside $15. In comparison, the nursing of today truly exemplifies that times change. But people change, too. This book exemplifies that we are still changing. 7