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

Page 13 text:

Jo the (jracLiatincj C taii o 54 BEHALF of the Medical Staff and myself I am happy to have this opportunity of wishing the graduating class happiness, health and a useful future. Since time began woman has nursed the sick. She has not always been trained and often had to work without modern conveniences, but, I believe, she was always sincere. D. S. McEWEN, M.D. Chief of Staff, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine. The nurse, whether trained or untrained, has devoted her time, her talents and her ener¬ gies to her fellowman. It is common knowledge that this work is not undertaken for gain, in¬ deed young ladies with much less training are commanding comparable salaries in other endeavours. One can only assume then, that our nurses chose to follow the healing arts out of a sincere desire to help those less fortunate than themselves. The present graduates can begin their graduate duties with the assurance that they are as well trained as any recent graduates in the world. They are better trained in recent medical advances than the nurses of only a few years ago. In order to keep a proper perspective however, any recent graduate should remember that anything the older nurses lacked in scientific knowledge they made up for in bedside nursing. It is also wise to be cognizant of the fact that each subsequent class will surpass you in recent advances unless you continue your studies. You are an integral part in a living science and must advance or stagnate. Besides the satisfaction in being of service, there are many advantages to the profession you have chosen. I will only mention two of these. Firstly a nurse develops judgment. This pertains not only to nursing but to life in general. Decisions of vital importance must be made daily. Decision must be sound and prompt. Judgment is developed early. Secondly a nurse matures quickly. True some are more mature at age fifteen than others at twice that age. Maturity is quickly developed when one is daily face to face with death. Serious illness, severe pain and miraculous cures are all great stabilizing influences. It is little wonder then that in general, nurses exhibit better judgment, are more mature than others in their age group. Use these assets wisely and you will be amply repaid. May I again offer every nurse my very best wishes for the future. D. S. McEWEN, M.D., Head of the Department of Internal Medicine. Chief of Staff, Paye Eleven

Page 12 text:

DR. P. L’HEUREUX Medical Director 1 w Q raduatei: TT IS always a very pleasant task to welcome into the great medical family the new graduates of our school of nursing. Thousands of young women have preceded you into this career of ministering to the sick, and thousands will follow in your footsteps. But for this year, you are the most important group of Nurses in the community. Your younger companions in study will look to you with yearning to reach the goal which is yours today; high school girls will look to you with admiration and the hope that they might some day be like you; your teachers will look at you with pride of achievement; your parents and friends will look at you with joyful expectation. Their congratulations will be as sincere as they are well deserved. You must not let down a single one of all these persons. You must uphold the traditions of your school and of your profession to a degree that will indicate the faith placed in you. I feel certain that the nurses of this class of ’54 will have little difficulty in doing this and I am very happy to wish them every success and happiness. PAUL L’HEUREUX, M.D., Medical Director. Page Ten

Page 14 text:

“The hurts she healed, the thousands comforted —” J OT so long ago, just before this class of 1953 entered training, the Honourable Senator, our Doctor J. P. Howden, commented: “Let us have, as candidates for our nursing school, young ladies who are kind, conscientious, intelligent and hard-working; then we will graduate practical bedside nurses!” You are those nurses now: thus chosen: since trained in the technique of nursing: but, more important, encouraged along the paths of sympathy, understanding and human kindness. So you have been readied (at graduation) for your commencement of useful living and practical service. The doctors of your hospital emphasize, encourage and appreciate the practical aspects of your training. Your medical staff share with your family this proud moment of your graduation. Happiness to you all! EARL STEPHENSON, M.D., President of Staff. Page Twelve