Williamsport Hospital School of Nursing - Oak Yearbook (Williamsport, PA)

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One morning the alarm rang a hall hour earlier— I had a new uniform to don for the first time. I had pondered late into the night wondering how I ' d master that hlaek tie. But the one consola- tion was that I would be taking another step forward toward my goal —a graduate nurse. With the help of mv roommate, I won the struggle and arrived neatly on duty at 7:00 A. M. My heart lightened as I thought of Thanksgiving vacation— a break in the routine. This meant only four more weeks till Christ- mas and then full time duty. The town girls worked Christmas week, while the country girls went home for vacation, and anxious- ly awaited their week of duty at New Year ' s. Will I or won ' t I pass the finals at the college? was the next burning question. The hours of studying, cramming and worrving were over. Now all I could do was anxiously await the final decision. The Saturday morning when grades would be known was slow in arriving but finally it came— 1 had made it! Perhaps the biggest hurdle was jumped— capping would be the prize. On March 14, 1954, the long awaited day arrived. After having admired the white starched cap of the nursing profession, the da had come when I was receiving one ol m vcr own. o As I walked on the stage and the instructor placed the cap on my head, I had a feeling of pride and accomplishment to think that I had gotten this far in mv training period. Standing there with mv classmates, it seemed as if the ceremony would never end so I could show off mv crown to the waiting rela- tives and friends. Glancing into the audience, my eyes fell on my family, their laces beaming with pride for thev had been as anxious as I for this moment to arrive. 17

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THAT FIRST DAY— as I walked up the steps of the Louisa Street Nurses ' Residence, I realized that I was completely on mv own for the first time in my life. But that lonely feeling was soon forgotten as I made many new acquaintances in spite of the con- fusion of orientation. First, I was taken on a tour of the four resi- dences, one of which was to be my home for the next three years. I was then given the routine for classes, study hours— 7:30 to 10 and curfew at 7:00 p. m., except for week ends. At the beginning of my third week I started the next phase of my schooling— classes at Lycoming College. That first day of col- lege I received three large books which only put me in a more con- fused state. As I glanced through the pages of these books— micro- biology, anatomy and chemistry, I wondered if I ' d ever learn the many facts and theories which flashed before me. To add to all this, I not only felt out of place, I looked it, in my unglamorous initiation oarb. Then, as if the odd stockings and shoes I had to wear for initiation weren ' t bad enough, I ' d hardly gotten rid of them when I was introduced to the sack-like attire commonly known as a scrub dress . Even in this, my first professional outfit, I began at last to feel a little like mv ideal of the Woman in White. 16

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Walking out through the dimly lit chapel, a feeling of humility overwhelmed me as I realized the new responsibilities of being a capped nurse. Back to classes again ... I first learned of our Student Gov- ernment Organization in Professional Adjustments class. I eagerly awaited the first meeting to see how it was conducted. Arriving in Medical Hall I found nearly all the upperclassmen and they actually made me, a probie , feel at ease. The president conducted the meeting in such an informal way that, because I was an equal here, I soon lost my shyness and began to participate. Our elected advisers from the faculty also took part and kept us posted on current problems, new drugs, and procedures. I later became aware of our school ' s participation in our State Student Nurses Association. I hoped that sometime I could visit another nursing school and learn how their school compared with mine. Student Government also provided social life for all of us. It was fun to help with parties, picnics, dances, and other activities. I realized that during mv three years of training, the Student Government meetings would tend to bring me closer to my school and establish a feeling of security and good-will among the entire student body. In the wee hours of the morning 5:45 a. m., my eyes heavy with sleep, I slowly found mv weary way to the Diet Kitchen. 18