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

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You see . . . this was my first specialty and since 1 had just received mv first stripe, I was feeling quite proud of myself. However, 1 was terrified at the thought of cooking breakfast for fifty patients, for I had had no previous ex perience in cooking. With mv first stripe feeling smaller and less significant by this time, I started on my first assignment. I soon learned from the dietitian in charge, that, ol all the special diets: gall bladder, low salt, bland, sippy, low residue, etc., the student ' s main responsibilitv was for the diabetic trays. Mv work consisted of getting the trays ready to serve, preparing salads and desserts, serving the food and, of course, washing the dishes. Although I worked hard, 1 also had fun . . . much to the dis- ma) of the dietitians. Some of mv misfortunes included hard boiling the soft-cooked eggs; scalding myself with coffee; getting caught with a milk-shake in mv hand; and finding myself locked in the food freezer! At the end of the four weeks I must have looked as if I needed a change because I was sent to mv next specialty . . . Central Supply. To mv delight, I found it was a place where I could work while lis- tening to the radio, just like home. While in Central, I learned to appreciate the many tasks performed to provide the entire hospital with sterile supplies. Little had 1 realized the intricate preparation required to provide the sterile equipment I used to take for granted. STUDENT GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Seated, Left to Right- Patricia Gentry, President; Arlene Quimbv, First Vice-President; Mary E. Meyers, Faculty Adviser; Eloise Mattem, Secretary; Emily Reynolds, Treasurer. Standing— Catherine McCaleb, Roberta Woods, Gloria Zuchowski, Bette Vll, Charlene Hart, Sen. ml Vice-President; Elaine Justice, Beverly Schriner. 19

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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

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Scared to death! That ' s what I was. My next stop was the Operating Room, one of the most dramatic places in the hospital, where each precise moment may mean the difference between life and death. Everything about it is unusual; the work, the atmosphere, even the attire, of white turban, green scrub dress, and insulated shoes which must be worn because of explosive anaesthesia. Mv first dutv as part of the surgical team was that of circulating. I was responsible for putting the patient into position, adjusting the lights, and keeping the scrub nurse and doctor supplied with neces- sarv materials during the operation. From circulating 1 advanced a little farther. With a capable instructor, I was taught to put into practice the procedures I had 20