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

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E. E. N. T., and Dermatology . . . accompanied bv another inter- esting course in Orthopaedics where the two stripers were taught to be observant. I also had rav first chance to see the real delivery of a baby and to attend our pre-natal clinic. Care studies, which were detailed descriptions of a particular patient and disease, took much concentrated time and effort. During my three years, six of these studies were written. While in my Intermediate year, I started mv fourth specialty . . . Obstetrics. This included floor duty, nursery, labor and deliv- ery and my second seige of night duty. My first impression of Obstetrics was through the observation windows of the delivery room as a new-born baby was arriving. In the labor and delivery suite, I spent four weeks observing patients in labor, assisting with deliveries and doing general clean-up. To help with the birth of a baby gave me a feeling of warmth and satisfaction, for I was helping with the miracle of life itself. I also spent four weeks caring for the post-partum patient. This included observing the new mothers until they were discharged. Again I spent time in O. B. clinic assisting the doctor while examining patients, taking necessary information, and helping to educate the expectant mother. Mv last four weeks were spent in the nursery, fully caring for the newborn babies, feeding the premies and teaching the mothers to care for their new babies. O. B. was a specialty which would benefit any girl, be she nurse or mother. 22

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learned in the classroom. As a scrub nurse, I was expected to be the doctor ' s right hand man ' ' in preparing the suture, passing the correct instruments, and trying my best to anticipate the surgeon ' s needs. Then the long awaited dav came ... I was ready to be on my own as scrub nurse. I was expected to use my own initiative in doing everything within my power to make the operation a success. I [ere for the first time, I had the feeling of being needed by the surgeon and of being a truly important part of the surgical team. Last but not least were the two other duties which concluded my two months in the O. R. . . . night duty, where I set up the cases for the next day; and the recovery room, where immediate post- operative care is given. Scared? Yes I was, but I knew when I left that I had gained a valuable experience, through theory and practice as an O. R. nurse. Having my second stripe, I found myself spending time, between specialties, on the north and south floors. My responsibili- ties had increased and I was expected to take complete charge of a ward, pass medications, assist doctors, change dressings, and see that all treatments were done properly. The new probie class had arrived in September and I now felt that 1 had gained another step toward my goal. It seemed years since I was first a probie . It was wonderful to have onl two classes a da and two nights ol stuck a week. Some of ni subjects were: Pediatrics, Obstetrics, 4uaaflH,6 IS+tfUE 21

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To briwhtcn our holiday festivities many of us attended the Medical Ball, held at Christmas time at the Lycoming Hotel. The hospital also sponsored a Christmas party for employees to add to the holiday spirit. The entertainment, both professional and ama- teur, was great, and after the main program everyone present danced till dawn. Every Christmas, all of us participated in a party for the children of The Williamsport Home, which was held in the Recreation Hall. Who had the most fun is hard to determine . . . the wee kids or the student nurses. Santa was present with his bag of tovs and candv for all and, with his encouragement, the kiddies sang for their supper . My heart felt big as I realized how much the spirit of Christmas meant to everyone. My Intermediate year was devoted to money-raising for a ban- quet in honor of the senior nurses, soon to be graduates. I did my share of the work necessary to have successful candv sales, bake sales, etc. The hard work paid off when my classmates and I were hostess- es to the seniors at the Village Tea Room on August 31, 1955. To top off the delicious food and entertainment, our guest speaker was Dr. William Todhunter, a member of the surgical staff. After this event, 1 looked forward to being a guest at next year ' s banquet. Some real fun took place at the Y. W. C. A., where I played basketball, volleyball and relaxed in the swimming pool. I was looking forward to vacation this year, when I would have four weeks for complete relaxation. Some of mv classmates were for- tunate enough to spend their vacations in Florida. $ £ 23