| 000'36" |
UniformsDescribes two uniforms. On duty: a white uniform, white turban on head - 'looked like a washer woman'. When left ward, had to change into a blue dress uniform - long sleeves and a cap. All buttons had to be clipped on separately. Uniforms were starched and very comfortable. A small 'V' on pocket to indicate rank.
Had to go to main building for meals, had to change uniform first. Often difficult to get there and back in time. |
| 003'02" |
Learning on the WardsComments that there was no correlation between the classroom learning and ward learning but WARD SISTERS did a lot of teaching on the wards. They also taught the HOUSE SURGEONS.
Mentions SISTER MAY WILLIAMS on a MEN’S MEDICAL and another medical ward, 18, 'She terrified me'. Recounts story of overflowing the steriliser and another story of drawing up penicillin on night duty. |
| 005'15" |
Casualty WardTells about caring for old men with infected fingers on CASUALTY WARD. Sat round big table with fingers in enamel mugs of EPSOM SALTS, then nurses bandaged the fingers.
Described the rooms of Casualty including two cells at the back for mentally unwell or people ‘drying out’. Cells were part of the old hospital. Another room for attempted suicides - didn't know about this as a student. SISTER WYNN was in charge. As a junior, did basic care. |
| 008'41" |
Unusual acts of kindness by Senior NursesComments that she mostly did PAEDIATRICS and MEDICAL as a student. Other half of class did more SURGICAL nursing.
Tells story about kindness of SISTER BURTON, charge nurse on an INFECTIOUS WARD (sister of ROSS BURTON, an ONCOLOGIST). Sister Burton noticed that Diana was feeling unwell, put her to bed in the doctor's room and gave her a cup of tea. 'I will never, never forget it'.
Tells of kindness of another senior nurse, MARGARET MILLAR. If you had been on late leave, she would ask you if you had had a good time - 'that was radical'. |
| 011'03" |
Attitudes to MarriageComments that nurses were allowed to be MARRIED but only under certain circumstances. Mentions STELLA LONG whose husband died in the War. She came out to New Zealand with small son who lived with her mother in flats across the road from hospital. STELLA (LONG) had to live in NURSES’ HOME and be called 'Miss Long' She was 'respectably WIDOWED'. No married nurses with families.
Relates how a nurse who stayed in her room to study on her days off was held up as an example of the ideal nurse. |
| 013'06" |
Social Life, Rules and PregnancyDescribes social life of student nurses: MOVIES, DANCES. Mentions HOLY SEPULCHRE CHURCH, THE ORANGE BALLROOM: sometimes when a ship was in port, a sailor would phone NURSES’ HOME to ask if anyone would like to go out with the sailors.
Reflects that HOME SISTERS were very strict on the surface but more forgiving than they appeared. They ‘knew the tricks’, e.g. how to get into NURSES’ HOME after hours. Later realised that the HOME SISTERS felt very responsible for students.
Mentions PREGNANCY; nurses 'disappearing', didn’t know of any herself. (Aside about air conditioning in room). Recalls a friend who had her baby ‘early’ after finishing her training - 'I was a bit shocked about that, actually'. |
| 016'00" |
Relationships and MarriageRecalls that nurses mostly socialised in groups especially in first year or two. Many married shortly after finishing training. Describes boys coming to pick up nurses at NURSES’ HOME, being 'looked over' by the HOME SISTER. Mentions going out with a young man for 4-5 years including time of training, but not wanting to get engaged.
Comments briefly on women's relationships with women, not aware of them at the time, but mentions tragic event that occurred just after training (off tape). |
