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

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wp liv It hardly seemed possible that 3 years could pass so quickly and that the day had come when I would be one of the guests of honor at the annual Alumni Banquet and Dance. Everyone looked for- ward to this big event but none could have been as excited as we seniors. It had been oyer a year since our whole class had been together, and this made the occasion even gayer. The banquet and dance were held at the Lycoming Hotel, June 1, 1956. What a shock, yet pleasant surprise, to see our individual pictures as part of the beautifully decorated ballroom. We were told to search for our face to find our place at the table and it seemed as if 1 found everyone ' s picture but my own. Having finally located it, I sat among my classmates to enjoy a deli- 28

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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

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cious turkey dinner. But the banquet was not to be the last of this wonderful night. A dance followed with music provided by the fabu- lous orchestra of Charlie Masters and the Teenagers and as the song goes, I could have danced all night! Is my cap on straight? I wanted to make sure everything about my new white uniform was perfect in every detail before leaving home for graduation exercises on the evening of June 8, 1956. As soon as I arrived at Clarke Chapel, Lycoming College, I was caught in a whirlwind of pinning on roses and class pins, receiving gifts and flashing of cameras when suddenly all was calm and serene and I found mvself moving in the processional. It was a beautiful graduation ceremonv and as I stood on the stage with m diploma I couldn ' t help but remember the evening over 2 years ago when 1 had stood on the same stage, proudly holding my Nightingale lamp and displaving my newly acquired cap. I remembered the hard studies, trying procedures and strict hours onl aguelv now as mv thoughts were of the many friends, the good times and all the pleasant memories of my training days. It was hard to realize that soon these days would be— just memories. Walking from the auditorium alter the ceremony was like walk- ing into a new world filled with the promises of a bright future. I realized how really lucky I was to have such wonderful memories and looked with eager anticipation toward this new life of being A GRADUATE NURSE. I pNHVMH -i • I f • I 29