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

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Hl ir Fill treatments given to patients, such as insulin-coma therapy, and electro-convulsive therapy. The six weeks I spent here prepared me for mv four weeks in Mitchell Building and two weeks in Geriatrics, where I could cope with the more difficult and chronically ill patients. In Mitchell, the 350 patients were unpredictable and sometimes destructive but no restraints of any kind were used. From the hour I went on duty in Geriatrics, until the day was over, I gave bed baths! In this building I learned to combine mental and physical aspects of nursing care. For off-duty hours, I went swimming, bowling, skating, played tennis, and spent many hours at John ' s luncheonette. I gained much knowledge as to what other hospitals have to offer and appre- ciated my own school even more. On one of my weekends home I attended the Valentine Dance planned by the social committee and held on our campus. It was amazing to see Medical Hall, the doctors ' lecture room, decorated as beautifully as any ballroom. Soft music, dim lights, red and white streamers and cupids were enough to capture anyone ' s heart. This was the first big activity sponsored entirely by students and it was a great success! o The Way Memorial Isolation Unit is a separate and unique division of The Williamsport Hospital. Although I had been thor- oughly trained in the technique before being assigned to the unit, I was nevertheless a little shaky when I heard the swish-swosh of the Iron Luno in action. Even though the unit is closed to all but doctors and nurses, each room is so built that visitors may talk through the windows, thus keeping the patient in touch with the outside world. 26

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wanted my little sister to have help and to think of me as a big sister. I had long been looking forward to spending three months of my senior year at Warren State Hospital, a community within itself, and the home of 3,200 mental patients. My first two weeks were spent in orientation to the hospital ' s curriculum. During this time I received my chain with keys allow- ing me to enter both men ' s and women ' s wards. I first came in direct contact with patients in the Admission Building. After being observed for 2 weeks they are brought before a staff of doctors for diagnosis, and then treatment is started. My day consisted of observation, assistance, and supervision of patients in the day rooms. I assisted with the administration of the various 25

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This was mv first experience with such complete responsibility, and I began to feel that I was regarded almost as a graduate nurse. The brief time I spent in the unit made me realize what an impor- tant part our nurses must play in keeping contagious diseases con- trolled. The day I dreaded finally arrived . . . my first day in the Emergency Room. Would I be able to think fast enough and fit into the unpredictable atmosphere that was associated with the sound of a siren? Here, one could expect anything from an ingrown toe- nail to a fractured skull. One moment there was the air of confusion, following an accident; the next moment there was an air of orderli- ness and calm, as policemen, reporters, and medical personnel worked as a team to meet the public ' s needs. 27