Queen of Angels College of Nursing - Liber Reginae Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

Page 35 text:

lflfgefg SISTER M. AGNES Louise An operating room supervisor is responsible for instruction of student nurses in operating room technique. This certainly demands special training and always calls for a great deal of executive ability. Sister Agnes Louise R.N., B.S. has proven her- seltl just such a supervisor. She has been at Queen of Angels in charge of surgery for the past four years and during this time has diligently and meticulously guided hundreds of students through their twelve weeks of operating room training. 'lihe student begins her surgical training by first attending lectures dealing with the importance of good operating room technique. She receives an explanation of the various procedures and duties she will be required to fulhll. To the student nurse surgery is no doubt the most interesting and most fascinat- ing service she encounters during her entire three years of training. Here behind a mask and in a sterile gown and gloves the student is certainly in a world set apart from earthly ground. She carefully drapes the patient then deftly arranges the scal- pels, prepares the various sutures and other instruments for which the surgeon may ask. lt is also during this interlude of preparation that the little nurse often trembles internally and possibly externally and prays that she has remembered all and for- gotten none of the O.R. technique that Sister constantly attempts to instill into the minds of her girls. The Operation. Tlzzrty four

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peohafric elacue menf At the very top of Queen of Angels, on the eighth floor, is the happiest and most interesting Department. Being devoted en- tirely to children ranging from birth to 15 years of age, it admits patients of every type of illness: lVIedical, Surgical, and Orthopedic. This Department, started on Qct. lS, l939, is headed and smoothly guided by sweet, small and quiet Sr, lylary Annella, R.N., HS. Sister Annella has a disposition and attitude which could not be surpassed for suitability in this line of Work. During its short existence, this floor has progressed at lightning speed. It sports :1 children's game and book library, a com- plete formula kitchen, modern equipment, and an adjacent sunporeh and solarium. A Staff of Pediatric specialists of high repute gives constant attention to their young patients. Contrary to the usual feeling of escape from hospitals, many children become so at- tached to the pleasant, homey atmosphere in their Wards, that they hate leaving. Student Nurses make a Baby Book which covers the normal progress of a healthy child, and they write case studies which deal with the sick child. This course is taught by bliss Sacksteder R.N., HS. who trains the nurses for this department. Thus the active staff of this particular de- partment is on constant and intelligent vigil for any slack in the healthy future and happy Welfare of the Queen's children. DR. ALONZO Cass Instructor The Nurse in Pediatrics 'K ,aw Thirty-three

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2lfJ6l,I fI'lflQl'lf The Surgery Stenographel This technique includes the complete setting upu of an operating room in prepf aration for a major operation. All necessary accessories are arranged in their proper place. The two instrument tables are set up with all instruments and sponges in place. For the average major operation there are often! over one hundred instruments required. The next important procedure is that of draping the patient with sterile drapes-the exact method of draping depending on where the incision will be made. During the course of the operation, which may take anywhere from one, two, three or more hours, the nurse must be constantly on the alert and prepared to assist at any emergency that might arise, she is most helpful when she anticipates and has ready the instrument the surgeon wishes. She must be extremely careful in counting sponges and needles before the operation begins, during the opera.tion and again before the incision is closed. It is certainly, while in surgery, as in no other field of nursing that the nurse acquires her unforgettable knowledge of the meaning and value of the words l'sterile and contaminated Surgery girls in attire. TIIITIV ji