Nurses who were in the Field prior to 1950

[nursemanit]

I have an assignment to interview a nurse who was in the field during or prior to the 1950's. Unfortunately, I work in informatics and I am the oldest (at 35) of my co- workers. I would love it if some of you could have a discussion on what are the major differences between now and then as far as practice, role, and other topics that you feel are better or worse than "back then" - Thanks to all who can help.

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

Love the topic and I hope you get some responses.

I love talking to some of the more senior nurses at our hospital one of the different things they had to do "back then" was it was part of night care to go room to room and empty all the ashtrays!! and they tell of one Dr who would leave his lit cigarettes smoldering on the nureses desk while he went and rounded.

I know they also spoke of how the nurses who worked 3rd shift had to prepare food in the kitchen for breakfast, the nurses made the breakfast and then the kitchen staff came in for lunch and dinner. The 3rd shift nurses also did the laundry at night.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Prior to 1950? Whoa you'd be looking at a 78-80 y/o nurse. I started school in 1962 but that's as far back as I can claim. You couldn't even take state boards til you were 21 "back in the day."

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

Prior to 1950? Whoa you'd be looking at a 78-80 y/o nurse. I started school in 1962 but that's as far back as I can claim. You couldn't even take state boards til you were 21 "back in the day."

Your right, I didnt even do the math, she probably wont get many online responses from the 80year old nursing crowd. I know our county has a nursing club. It is mainly made up of retired nurses who meet once a month for lunch and they offer some small scholarships and do some small local charity work. See if your community has something like that. They would be a wealth of knowledge.

We do get a retired nurse in as a patient from time to time, she is 80+ if not almost 90 and she had DNR tattood on her chest. Love it.

[nursemanit]

Any time before the mid 60's would be ok

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

i got my license in '79.....dinosaures still roamed freely. my aunt-in-law practiced when PCN first came out.....it was huge! the patients were in ICU for its administration.

[sheilagh]

My grandmother was always telling me how they were allowed 1/2 day off for laundry and 1/2 day off for courting...but had a 10 pm curfew! she spoke of endless bedpans,of all the nurses rising when the doctor came on the floor.They had a uniform inspection at the beginning of every shift,all iv's were metal needles,and fluids were in glass jars.

she became an RN during WW||,and had to live in the hospital while in nursing school.

Hope this helps!

[whodatnurse]

My mom was a nurse during World War II and is still alive and kicking quite well, thank you very much!

I recently got her the movie Atonement through Netflix. She said that the way the nurses were dressed - with the BLACK stockings - was exactly how student nurses used to dress.

When she went to nursing school, it was a hospital program where you lived onsite for 3 years, including summers...so it was essentially just a bit longer than a 4 year college program.

Do you have any specific questions you would like answered? She's out of town today but I'll call her tomorrow morning and see what she has to say about those early years of her lifelong career.

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

this is great....i would love to hear some of what you come up with. fascinating !

[nursemanit]

The assigned questions were so basic that I can answer them based on my knowledge of history. I want to put some feeling into the assignment so questions like What kinds of things were taught in school? What was your relationship like with physicians? What were the big issues that bother you in the early days .....

[whodatnurse]

The assigned questions were so basic that I can answer them based on my knowledge of history. I want to put some feeling into the assignment so questions like What kinds of things were taught in school? What was your relationship like with physicians? What were the big issues that bother you in the early days .....

Okay...I'll post again tomorrow and let you know what she says.

One other thing I remember her saying: back then, to be a nurse was A VERY BIG DEAL! People generally had very high regard for those in the profession...

[SillyStudent, ASN, RN]

Try calling your local catholic hospital. There are MANY 80 year old Nun/Nurses that still work every now and then, or volunteer at the hospital. You might find someone that way.