St Boniface School of Nursing - Estole Fideles Yearbook (St Boniface, Manitoba Canada)

Page 14 text:

A Review of Styles for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the St. Boniface School of Nursing TN THE YEAR 1700, the British Parliament passed a law providing that any woman who attempted to urge a man into matrimony “by means of scent or cosmetic washes, artificial teeth,, false hair, iron stays, hoops, high heeled shoes or bolstered hips” should draw upon herself the penalty prescribed for witchcraft and that the marriage would, in the eyes of the law “stand null and void.” Nowadays, if a girl hasn’t got an eighteen-inch waist (gained by false or true means), a hat that sits on the side of her head, a swing back coat that dips in the back and that smooth look,—well she just isn’t considered in. In reviewing the nurses’ uniforms (exclusive St. Boniface Hospital) I’m not going to start back in the eighteenth century—because for the simply obvious reason that a school of nursing wasn’t provided at St. Boniface Hospital until the nineteenth century—1897, to be exact. The first uniform was originated in 1899—it is not shown on the opposite page because I didn’t have room. 190’5—St. Boniface Hospital then consisted of 350 beds. The uniform was blue cotton with white maple leaves printed on it, over which went a white bib and apron. The collar was Victorian-high and stiff. The caps resembled an inverted paper bag tied in the middle. The length of the uniform was to the ankle. 1924—The number of hospital beds were now 475. The uniform was all white including shoes and stockings. The cap was changed for a flatter kind, the collars were lower but the length of the uniform remained the same. 1928—The nurses’ residence was first opened. What happened to this uniform? You’re asking! That is the $64 question. How did the waistline slip so low and the style change so drastically? 1931—The Sanatorium with 300 beds was opened two years previous to this. The girls in training at the time must have had to get up an hour early to do up all the buttons—there being two rows of them. The waistline was raised at least one whole inch and the length of the uniform was now a daring 13 inches from the floor. 1941—The St. Boniface Hospital had now 500 beds. Ah! now the uniform is getting closer to what it resembles today. The dress with long sleeves was blue. The apron and the bib were now back in force and a new cap was introduced. 1948—The St. Boniface Hospital now boasts 575 beds. The uniform of today is right in style with the “new look,” the length still being 13 inches from the floor. The apron is full, accentuating the hips and the waistline may be restricted to a dainty 18 inches (if you move the buttons over, and give up breathing). The sleeves are short and well starched which are supposed to give you a trim round shoulder effect so in style today, but which make me feel like a rugby player. Probably ten years from today we will think back and wonder how we ever wore those awful uniforms. Will you? . . . not me ... I like them. PAT WOOD. 12

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VALED T ODAY, we will receive our diplomas as “Graduate Nurses.” This is a solemn moment that brings upon us the full realization of all we have received and for which we will always be grateful. It is a day from which we look back to what has been achieved, and forward, with ambitious hopes, to future accomplishments. Today we see ourselves, fully qualified nurses, setting out upon our career in the service of mankind. This is indeed, a landmark in the history of our lives. For weeks now the members of this senior class have been quietly and efficiently going about their duties, in spite of a growing excitement which at times reached such a degree of intensity, it seemed almost impossible to exercise control. Three years of discipline, however, kept us from forgetting the dignity that is an essential quality in a nurse, and so the urge to go about singing with joy was carefully repressed. As the days slipped by, and the passing of winter made way for spring, thoughts of graduation day became uppermost in our minds. Now that day is here and we stand at the meeting of a wonderful promising future and of a happy past. The intervening years between the first day of training and that of our gradu¬ ation have filled our hearts with memories which shall never be forgotten. Memories of the companionship of Residence life—complete with gatherings in one room to discuss the day’s events or to plan for the future. Memories of celebrations after passing dreaded examinations and upon receiving caps and bands. Memories of letters from home and the never forgotten holidays. Memories of Mrs. Murphy coping with our late leaves; of the class parties, Hallowe’en parties, and those given by the Sisters to brighten our Christmases away from home. There are memories too of a more serious tone—those of the hours of classes, of lectures and of studies—the months of practical work, t he whole course of training which has given the school we are proud of, the standing it has today. This training, we have received, lifts us into the professional class, and thus opens the door to a life of exceptional usefulness in many spheres of human endeavor. Some of us will remain as private nurses, putting into practice the bedside training received during the last three years. Some will prefer to prepare themselves for positions of greater responsibility, in specialized fields. There is an urgent call for nurses to join the Public Health Service. Reconstruction and rehabilitation is still going on in parts of the world and we, in faithfulness to duty, can help in the many adjustments to be made. It is good for nurses, as for others,, to broaden their experiences by travel, post-graduate courses, interchange with other hospitals and by contacts with other people and nationalities. Whatever we may be able to contribute to the common good will depend a great deal on our ideal of service and on our continued efforts to improve ourselves. As we stand here with our black bands, school pins and roses, we cannot help but think of the student nurses of the present and the future and hope that they will all realize a day, like this, so filled with satisfaction and joy. Because of the many memories, lingering in our hearts, we will never be able to say “good bye” to the friends we have met in training. They shall live on through the years with us in the pleasant land of souvenirs. This memorable day, however, would not be complete without those so dear, who have made possible for us our happiness—and so, to our moms and dads go our deepest love and appreciation. As your eyes shine, too, with joy at our success, our prayer is—may tha t light shine on undimmed and may the trust and confidence you have placed in us be realized in its fullest measure. It is with deepest gratitude that we simply and sincerely, thank you, the Reverend Sisters, the doctors, instructors, and graduates for your untiring devoted¬ ness, for your forbearance in our shortcomings and inexperience, and for giving us guidance which will enable us to face the world as “GRADUATE NURSES!” JUEL La VERNE KYLE. 14