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

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In 1 9 1 8, the Pennsylvania State Board of Nurse Examiners was authorized to approve schools of nursing. The Williamsport Hospital Training School for Nurses received approval and the 3 year program was in full swing under the direction of Miss Mann. Because of the increasing number of students, housing was a problem. The hospital ' s contagions disease unit was no longer in operation so it was converted into a student dormitory, affectionately termed The Annex. In 1925, after a reorgainization of the hospital administration, Miss Lulu M. Hippie became Director of Nursing. With this split many changes took place. Nursing was now a force unto itself. Nurses began taking more responsibility for complete patient care. They became responsible for extensive treatments and post- operative care. During the 1920 ' s and early 30 ' s the school, under the direction of Miss Hippie, continued to grow in stature and strength. The graduates became known for their professional behavior and skilled nursing care. In 1 943, Mr. Daniel Hartman, Administrator of the Hospital made plans with Miss Hippie to incorporate the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Plan into the Williamsport Hospital School of Nursing. In September 1943, the Surgeon General approved the School of Nursing and the Cadet Corps of Williamsport Hospital began. This program lasted 2 years with 165 graduates. National Commissions were investigating training of nurses and found it lacking in some areas. William- sport Hospital School of Nursing contracted with Lycoming College to teach student nurses the basic sciences. In 1 948 the School of Nursing contracted with the Warren State Hospital for their students to receive three months of psychiatric nursing training at their hospital. The uniform changed to a blue and white dress with a starched two piece apron. Again student housing was required. The Williamsport Hospital Auxiliary made the first pledge for $ 1 00,000. The new facility would include housing for 1 38 students, an educational wing with classrooms and an auditorium. On March 12, 1961 the student nurses moved into the new building, which is still the Nurses Residence. On September 4, 1964 the Williamsport Hospital School of Nursing graduated its first male nurse, David R. Ranck. On July 1, 1973 the contract between Lycoming College and the Williamsport Hospital School of Nursing was revised to allow the nursing students to receive 24 credits for the courses taken there. On October 2, 1 973 the entire nursing program was reduced to a 145 week course. In 1975 the National League of Nursing visited the school and granted them accreditation in 1976. In 1981 the National League of Nursing again visited the school and again they received accreditation, this time for 8 years. 1983 brings the celebration of our 100th birthday and the continued fulfillment of a dream to train young women and men as nurses. The need for which the school was founded still exists today in a more complex form. The Williamsport Hospital School of Nursing is striving to meet that need with instruction in the most up to date nursing know ledge, w ith clinical experiences in all areas of care. Another indication that the school is still changing with the times is that in 1883 a student received a $3.00 a month stipend, while in 1 982-83 the tuition is $11,100. Printed with the permission of The W. H.S.N. Alumni Assoc.

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