Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing - Pledge Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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i Fall is usually the time at WRAIN for saying llhellolt as faculty members, staff, and students come together for the start of another school year and meet new friends, instructors, and colleagues. For one individual however, fall was a time for saying stgood-byell to the people and the work she had been involved in over the past year. In September, CPT Kath- leen OlBrien, WRAIle educational coordinator, left her position to take on a new assignment as head nurse of the Walter Reed Army Hospitalts cardiac care unit. A farewell party was given in her honor in appreciation of the work she had performed during her brief time as part of the WRAIN educational team. CPT OtBrients role while at WRAIN originally involved acting as a corre- spondent with the freshmen and sophomore students who were complet- ing their course requirements ltin the fieldll before coming to Walter Reed for the completion of their nursesl training. At CPT OlBrienis request, this role was expanded to allow her to work in the hospital with senior students a a job which she ttthoroughly enjoyed? A linal element of her work here involved lending moral support to any student who needed it. As a former WRAIN student herself, CPT OiBrien was able to offer a very sym- pathetic ear. To all students of the classes of 1977 and 1978, she offers these words of advice as they begin their Army nursing careers: 37 ltAll of you will be apprehensive in regards to your nursing ability, whether you know enough and can handle a ward. Give yourself time, at least two months, to get used to nurs- ing. I think youlll begin to feel more confident each day. e skk

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A TIME FOR HELLO, A TIME FOR GOODBYE

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THE NIGHT SANTA VISITED WRAIN One of the nicest traditions at WRAIN is the annual Christmas Pot- luck. The supper provides a time for friends to get together and gleefully de- scribe what plans they have for Christ- mas vacation. The food was supplied by the students and faculty of WRAIN. It was a smor- gasboard of delight. There was chicken, potatoe salad, beans, casseroles, vegeta- bles of every kind and desserts to even make the dieter cheat for awhile. After supper the WRAIN Small Chorus sang several Christmas carols to set the mood. The evening was undoubt- edly made complete with the arrival of Santa Claus and his WRAIN-deer. St. Nick was his jolly self with an added comical aspect: his pants kept falling down. Santa proceeded to call out the names of the good girls and boys he had presents for, such as COL Johnson, COL Small, and CPT Hamer. He became especially nice when the girls sat on his lap or gave him a kiss. After Santa had completed giving all the gifts, the students and faculty participated in singing Christmas carols. The old time favorites such as ttJingle Bellsh were a must and were sung in anticipation of going home. As the evening drew to a close, everyone departed thinking of Christmas at home and the coming New Year. - lyr