· Web viewOwn laundry facilities; uniforms sent out once a week; dirty linen bag handed to HOME...

NERF Nursing oral History Project 1950s/1960s

Joan TAIT

Recorded: 20 NOV 2012 File: 1 of 4Interviewer: Margaret HorsburghAbstracter: Margaret HorsburghEquipment type:

Fostex FR- 2LE Digital Recorder

000'00" FILE INTRODUCTION

000'44" GROWING UPGrew up in WHAREHUIA, near STRATFORD, TARANAKI. Four older brothers and one younger sister. Describes.

001'42" FARM/FATHER'S HEALTHFather a farmer, returned from WW 1, invalided home with MALARIA, contracted in PALESTINE (1916-17); no treatment. Describes. Fevers and rigors continued; mother would need to carry on with farm work; Joan would look after father. Describes.

004'00" MOTHER A MIDWIFEMother had trained as a MIDWIFE at ST HELEN'S HOSPITAL, AUCKLAND; ' I just loved her silver medal'. Explains. First NEW ZEALAND trained MIDWIFE to work in STRATFORD; divided time between working at HOSPITAL, ' which had been bought and run by Dr DORIS GORDON... and for a doctor who might need her to help with a lady'. Describes maternity care.

006'01" MOTHER'S FIRST PREGNANCYMother [KATHLEEN] married [REGINALD WELLINGTON] whose first wife had died in childbirth leaving two young children [KEITH, NOEL]. With mother's first pregnancy, nearly died through PLACENTA PRAEVIA; ' bleeding very heavily ... [mother] remembered being put in back room ... no blood transfusions available ... just had to regain strength'. Describes. 'Dr DORIS [GORDON] ... with my first placenta praevia I lost both mother and baby, with my second I only lost your baby ... Dr GORDON not allowed to do CAEASAREAN SECTIONS'. Explains.

008'55" FAMILY INFLUENCES ON CAREER CHOICEMother a MIDWIFE; Aunt a GENERAL REGISTERED NURSE had influence on choice of career. Explains. Mother's music included song from First

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World War ;' "Rose of No Man's Land' ... to do with nurses who meant so much to the troops and on it was a photo of a nurse ... used to look at longingly ... hoped that one day I would be a nurse'. Describes.

009'52" SIBLING CAREERSSister became a PHARMACIST; two older brothers; ' war came ... had to enlist at 21 years ... went into army ... third brother became pilot ... brothers fought ... ITALY, PACIFIC'. Describes. After WW 11; 'no re-training available; no counselling ... had to ballot for farms ... worked as sharemilker, farmhand'. Describes. Younger brother, BRIAN eventually took over family farm when parents retired. Explains

012'26" PRIMARY SCHOOLINGAttended local primary school [STANLEY RD SCHOOL], to standard six; ran every day to school; home for lunch. Two teacher school. Very happy school days; hot milk boiled with cocoa at lunchtime; learned to garden; New Zealand flag raised once a week; 'stood and sang God Save the King ... and saluted the flag'. Describes.

014'29" SECONDARY SCHOOLHad developed bone disease in metatarsals (Route March Disease) as child; very painful; affected secondary school options. Won a scholarship to private school; DIOCESAN SCHOOL, STRATFORD; [ST MARY’S DIOCESAN SCHOOL] enabled boarding. Describes. About to sit SCHOOL CERTIFICATE when developed appendicitis; 'ended ... three years of secondary schooling'. Describes.

016'24" EARLY EMPLOYMENTAfter school took an office job; enabled painful foot to be rested in preparation for nursing. Explains. ‘Headmistress of DIOCESAN SCHOOL, STRATFORD decided that I could come and be her secretary'; worked in this role until time to apply for nursing; May 1951. Describes.

016'53" ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A NURSEGrowing up, always wanted to be a nurse; read every book that mentioned everything about nursing, including mother's nursing notes; St John Ambulance book. Explains.

018'14" SISTER CHOOSES PHARMACY CAREERSister joined rural recruit scheme for chemists; four year training; night school; attended PHARMACY SCHOOL in WELLINGTON for two weeks at a time. Describes.

018'54" OTHER OCCUPATIONSOther occupations for girls included school teaching; 'one was going to be a dietitian'. Explains.

019'26" PARENTAL SUPPORTParents very supportive of decision to be a nurse; 'father bought me a most beautiful leather suit-case'. Explains.

019'56" PREPARATION FOR NURSE TRAININGLeft school at aged 16 years; had not been able to sit SCHOOL CERTIFICATE; had to wait until aged 18 years to start nursing; painful foot being treated by orthopaedic surgeon with strapping; later 'got to

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know ORTHOPAEDIC technician in hospital ... every morning would go and he would strap it ... would do another day's duty'. Describes.

021'20" APPLYING FOR NURSE TRAININGHad heard there was a vacancy at HAWERA; 'just spoke to the MATRON and asked her if I could train as a nurse ... went for an interview'; A grade training school; did not consider other training options; training very thorough, 'any cases ... MATRON made sure that we saw ... later found that there were various cases which I had nursed at HAWERA '. Describes.HAWERA slightly closer to home than NEW PLYMOUTH; 'mainly a home girl'. Explains.

024'04" INTERVIEW WITH MATRONPresented testimonials to MATRON; from Headmistress, local Minister; ' ... she said well I think we should go down to the fitting room ... find some uniforms'. Red cape, shown how to fold a cap. Describes.

025'39" STARTING NURSINGCommenced training 5 May 1951; two 'intakes' a year. Explains.Met by HOME SISTER when arrived to start training; new nurses had rooms on ground floor; ' soon learned that as junior nurses you answered the telephone and the front door ... incessant telephone service’. Describes.

026'59" MEDICAL EXAMINATIONGENERAL PRACTIITIONER had completed a medical examination. Explains.

027'17" NURSING CLASSClass had six to eight girls; several did not last until examination at end of first year; studied anatomy and physiology and nursing; lectures by doctors, ' usually HOUSE SURGEON came and took our anatomy and physiology lectures ... TUTOR SISTER followed up ... and took us for nursing'. Describes.PRELIMINARY SCHOOL was three to four weeks. Explains.Other girls in class local, or from NEW PLYMOUTH; all about 18 years;' I was probably oldest at 19'. Explains.

028'42" PRELIMINARY TRAINING DAYSFirst few weeks learned all 'basic techniques'; various types of bed; how to 'sponge a patient'; list clothing; securing 'valuables'. Describes.

030'13" HAWERA HOSPITAL100 bed hospital with four wards; one ward not always in use; 30 beds in each ward, 'NIGHTINGALE type ward with three side rooms ... ward opened out on to a veranda ... which was only closed in on children's ward ... veranda used for long-term patients and chronic cases ... patients with TB [TUBERCULOSIS] of the spine who needed fresh air'. Describes.

031'28" HOSPITAL STAFFINGREGISTERED NURSE in charge of each ward; STAFF NURSE for each ward; senior nurse, or third year student; middle nurse or second year student and junior nurse 'just starting'. Explains.Students had one day 'off' each week '... if lucky ... didn't always fall in

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that week'. Explains.

033'09" DAYS OFFFirst few months only day off was on a Sunday, 'couldn't get a bus home, couldn't do anything ... until found some local friends ... would take me to their place'. Explains.

033'50" WARDS AT HAWERAMale, female and children's wards with 'surgical and medical' patients mixed. Also an 'infectious disease block with own staff ... didn't go there until physician-in-charge was satisfied we were MANTOUX tested... not allowed out among the TBs until satisfied had some immunity '. Describes.

034'30" OWN HEALTH CARESix monthly chest X-ray and annual physical examination; 'TB [TUBERCULOSIS] was very rife amongst nurses ... watched our chest X-rays very carefully ... in second year one of my X-rays caused a bit of concern and I was quite pleased ...I didn't particularly like surgical nursing'. Describes.

036'08" UNIFORMSWore 'overalls' which crossed over uniforms for ward work; early style not popular, changed to style which came right up to neck and crossed over back; 'overalls stayed on wards ... went to laundry every day'. Explains.

037'25" WAKING FOR MORNING SHIFTMorning shift 6am until 2pm; called by 'night runner ... an extra person on night duty who ran from one ward to another ... to assist with whatever was required ... one of jobs was to wake nurses on morning duty up.' Describes.

041'28" TYPICAL WARD DUTYMorning duty commenced 5.30 am; first task as junior nurse was to make morning tea for senior staff coming on; senior nurse ensured that duties for morning were clear; patient 'sponges or face and hands wash had to be done before breakfast'; bedpans and urinals, ...'very few allowed out of bed'. Junior nurse responsibility to ensure patients ready for breakfast; WARD SISTER or STAFF NURSE ' would come on early to serve breakfast; ' ... dishes had to be cleared and stacked... tea leaves kept for infectious ward ... sweeping the floor'. Staff breakfast followed patient breakfast; two sittings in hospital dining room. Describes.

046'19" PATIENT ADMISSION DUTIESPatient admitted with suspected APPENDICITIS; checked in 'patient's clothing as taught in preliminary school... omitted to take their temperature, pulse and respiration ... SISTER came back from breakfast and was ropable . went to breakfast at 20 to 9 ... one of assistant cooks felt sorry for me and found the remains of a cold poached egg'. Describes.

048'48" JUNIOR NURSE DUTIESCleaning and sterilising of bedpans, bowls, and tooth mugs a major

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task on morning duty, '...physically scrub them'. Explains. Found to be a very good place to learn anatomy with notes pinned up on wall. Describes. Cleaning included hand basins, toilets. Explains.

050'40" PATIENT CONTACT AS JUNIOR NURSEJunior nurse on morning duty had limited contact with patients, ' ...mostly a cleaning nurse ... on afternoon duty you did an enema round', more patient contact’. Explains.

051'06" BEEF TEA AND EGGNOGSResponsible for boiling urns for patient morning tea, '... about 11 am gave out beef teas ... to patients SISTER had directed'. Describes.Eggnogs were given in men's ward,' ... made with warm milk and dash of brandy'. Describes.

052'39" NURSES’ LUNCH DINING ROOM RULESJunior nurses’ job to open the door for senior staff; remained standing in dining until MATRON, SUB-MATRON and senior SISTERS ' had taken their place ... MATRON said grace'. Describes.Occasion when forgot to remove 'overall'. Describes.

054'57" RESPONSIBILITIES AT DIFFERENT LEVELSVery little responsibility on morning duty. Explains. Middle nurse [second year trainee] would do 'sputum mug round ... because she was able to spot if blood in sputum ... little more responsibility'. Explains. Middle nurse did DIABETIC urine tests before meals; senior nurse took temperatures, '... main ward temperatures every afternoon'. Describes.

057'04" REGISTERED NURSESSTAFF NURSES may do 'divided duties; from 3pm AFTERNOON SUPERVISOR did ward rounds, 'expected senior nurse to know what was wrong with every patient'. Describes.At night, NIGHT SISTER covered whole hospital'. Explains. Staff on call for emergencies in 'theatre'. ENGINEERS on duty to turn on steam for sterilising in theatre. Explains.

058'21" MEDICAL STAFFHAWERA HOSPITAL had a MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT, PHYSICIAN and two HOUSE SURGEONS; other staff came from WHANGANUI; ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON and CHEST PHSYICIAN came once or twice a month; RADIOLOGIST came weekly from NEW PLYMOUTH. Explains.

060'26" CULTURE WITHIN ORGANISATIONUse of Christian names was only with close friends; titles were used including for patients; only children addressed by Christian name. Explains.

062'06" LIVING ARRANGEMENTSAll nurses lived on site; MATRON had a flat in hospital; SISTERS had 'special portion of one of floors ... own sitting room'. Explains.

063'08" MATRON'S UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCEMATRON went into main hospital kitchen 'fridge after hours ... door shut and she couldn't get out ... we found out because MATRON said to be in bed with a cold ... one of cooks had come back and let her

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out ... she was quite sick'. Describes.Later became MATRON-IN-CHIEF of AUCKLAND HOSPITAL BOARD; JESSIE M. KIRKNESS. Explains.

065'18" NURSE TUTORTutor was MISS M E G GORDON [later MATRON of GREEN LANE HOSPITAL, AUCKLAND]. Explains.

065'59" MILITARY STYLEExcellent senior staff, ' had a military type approach ... one in particular would call us if had gone off night duty and forgotten to fill in fluid and urine chart ... would have to go back to the ward in full uniform ... soon learned'. Explains.

066'00" END OF FILE 1

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000'05" INTRODUCTION TO FILE 2

000'30" TRAINING ARRANGEMENTSPreliminary School for three weeks; once a week anatomy and physiology lecture delivered by HOUSE SURGEON; once a week nursing lecture from TUTOR SISTER; original TUTOR SISTER, Miss GAWN, later MATRON, BALCLUTHA HOSPITAL, followed by Miss M E G GORDON; weekly lectures; came off the wards for lectures; if on afternoon duty 'had to find a nurse who would replace us'. Explains.Classroom in hospital, 'double room which could be opened out and used as dance floor'; demonstration room included Mrs CHASE [Practice dummy]. Describes.Additional room 'that could have been used as a classroom, but had six-eight stoves ... was used in days when nurses had to learn to cook'. Explains.

003'21" PHYSICIAN LECTURESPhysician lectures after JUNIOR STATE [EXAMINATION at end of first year]; medical and surgical nursing. Explains. Learned mainly how to 'deal' with any heart conditions for junior medical; congestive heart failure; pneumonia; surgery lectures; ‘… common complications after surgery ... complications were quite common ... flatus, would have to pass a flatus tube ... hiccups ... atelectasis'. Describes.

005'56" EXAMINATIONSHospital DOCTOR examinations in medical and surgical nursing. '... had to pass... paediatric NURSING SISTER gave us our paediatric lectures and we had to pass her examination ... dietitian required us to know every diet for treating patients'. Describes.

007'21" COMMUNITY NURSINGFinal year included experience with PUBLIC HEALTH and DISTRICT NURSE. Explains.

007'43" PREPARATION FOR EXAMSFelt well prepared for exams; no time off to study; in final year 'block' system allowed time out of wards; ' ... more individual tuition ... mainly studied alone’. Describes.

008'53" SMALL CLASSMany students did not complete; less than six students sat and/or passed final exams. Explains.

009'31" PUNISHMENT FOR BECOMING ENGAGED TO BE MARRIEDNurses put on night duty if became engaged,'... that was punishment'. Explains.

009'47" RECEIVING EXAM RESULTSExam results were published in the local paper; told by MATRON next day, 'but we knew ... someone in newspaper office would ring us up ... tell us who had passed before the paper ever came out'. Describes.

011'17" HAWERA HOSPITAL BOARD/HOSPITAL TAXES

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Hospital Board elected every three years; universal HOSPITAL TAXES. Explains.'Patient ... who used to bang his locker and demand service ... I pay hospital rates and I will have service'. Describes.

012'52" PATIENT CONDITIONSMedical and surgical patients in same wards; many heart patients,' ... coronaries, congestive heart failure ... lot of pneumonias, TBs ... PARATYPHOID was endemic in area ... TYPHOID, ... WHOOPING COUGH ... immunisation not known'. Describes.Difficult duty looking after typhoid patients, ' had to have all faeces treated... left in sluice room for given time'. Describes.Whooping cough prevalent; ' MEASLES ... nursing a child ... with blocks of ice ... from abattoir ... ice packs all around him ... temperature so high'. Describes.TRACHEOSTOMIES for DIPHTHERIA; nursed one on one, 'specialled in a steam tent'. Describes. Steam tent equipment kept ready. Explains. 'One element stove with a croup kettle ... spout directed into steam tent ... every twenty minutes silver tracheostomy tube removed ... and fresh one put in'. Describes.

019'50" DRUGSPENICILLIN 'just coming in'; watched temperature come down in small boy with OSTEOMYLETIS; SULPHONOMIDES and AUREOMYCIN, CHLOROMYCETIN 'just coming in'. Explains

021'16" TREATMENT FOR TUBERCULOSISOnce a month a CHEST PHYSICIAN came from WHANGANUI, ' under local anaesthetic ... he would do a lung collapse... an APT, ARTIFICIAL PNEUMOTHORAX ... measured amount of air in'. Describes.PAS, PARA AMINOSALICYLIC ACID just coming in, and then STREPTOMYCIN,' ... had its complications, a lot of patients went deaf ... nurses got severe dermatitis'. Explains.Isolation ward, mixed ward, opened on to a veranda. Describes.Patients had poor appetites, ' just didn't want to eat ... allowed to bring in own meals ... nurses had to cook for them'. Describes.

023'57" BLOOD TRANSFUSIONSBlood transfusions quite new, blood reactions common. Blood came from on-site laboratory. Explains.

025'02" SURGERY AND POST-OPERATIVE NURSINGSurgery three of four times a week; ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON 'would come ... other times GENERAL SURGEON, the MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT ... other SURGEONS would come in'. Explains.PROSTATECTOMIES required tidal drainage; 'irrigation of bladder'; WAGENSTEIN suction post-operatively. Describes.FOWLER bed for drainage, 'for PERITONITIS cases ... raise the head and raise the feet and the middle of the bed if necessary'. Describes.COLPORRHAPHIES common,' women confined to bed for ten days ... got them up very slowly'. Explains.

027'48" TONSILLECTOMIESTONSILLECTOMIES ' quite routine'; during POLIO epidemic cancelled all TONSILLECTOMIES and teeth extractions; ' after POLIO epidemic

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over ... 17 tonsillectomies in a ward'. Describes.

028'57" POLIO IN HAWERA AREAPOLIOMYELETIS continued to be a problem in 1950s in HAWERA area; ' ... at WHANGANUI HOSPITAL ... in 1955/1956 a lot of cases'. Explains.

029'43" NURSING POLIOMYELITIS PATIENTSNurses also got POLIOMYELITIS; ‘...came back on duty with dropped foot ... had to have spring on foot and calliper'. Explains.In acute stages of disease, 'patients had fever ... miserable with pain... KERNIG'S SIGN positive ... spinal fluid test [LUMBAR PUNCTURE] to confirm diagnosis'. Describes.Nursed in isolation; 'full isolation ...food scraps and fluids treated'. Explains.Paralysis could be swift; ' sponged ... gave sips of fluid... once developed painful limb ... nursed between sandbags ... no movement allowed until temperature down ... PHYSIOTHERAPIST came in'. Describes.

032'28" KENNY METHODKENNY METHOD used to minimise muscle spasm; warmth to muscles and massage. Describes.

034'32" IRON LUNGSWHANGANUI HOSPITAL had six or seven IRON LUNGS; 'with positive pressure apparatus'. Describes. IRON LUNG at HAWERA 'was never used ... there ready ... flown into WHANGANUI to be used there’. Explains.

035'08" KENNY METHODPhysiotherapist and DOCTORS at HAWERA believed in KENNY METHOD; taught to staff; all patients allowed to have , '... but that wasn't so at all other hospitals'; relieved at STRATFORD HOSPITAL; asked to keep KENNY METHOD going' physiotherapist at WHANGANUI HOSPITAL ' said can retrain muscles if use the KENNY METHOD ... he was able to tell us about method'. Describes.

036'37" NURSING PATIENTS WITH POLIOMYELITIS AND IRON LUNG'A lot of patients did die before they got to an IRON LUNG'; patients were unable to breathe without air being forced into their lungs, '... and sucked out again by big bellows ... forced them to breathe in and out ... needed two nurses for all 'care' ... we hated the bell ... to tell us power was down or off ... would run ... and take in turns to hand pump'. Describes.Five or six such patients at once; eventually left with two long term patients. Explains.Infectious period was three weeks. Explains.

039'59" MEMORABLE POLIOMYELITIS PATIENTPolio patients remained in infectious ward; one female patient with small children, 'who liked to dance'; nurses would allow children's father to lift children in through the window, '... and allow them to come in and dance for their mother'. Describes.Years later when nurse aid TUTOR at WHANGANUI;' ... nurse came and asked if I had ever nursed anyone with poliomyelitis ... she was the little girl who used to dance for her mother'. Describes.

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041'40" RESOURCES FOR NURSING POLIO PATIENTSIron lungs were very scarce; shortage of staff; ' ladies... came and offered their services ... to relieve nursing staff'. Explains.

042'42" SUCCUMBING TO POLIOMYLETIS'Had been warned not to congregate ... going to the movies ... at own risk'; movie theatres ran warning ' ... little girl skipping who just dropped to the ground ... this is poliomyelitis ... at one stage thought it was due to sun on the back on the neck ... we were all issued with red scarves'. Explains.At time of end of maternity nurse training [1955]; '... some nurses had been admitted to hospital... I had a very painful neck and headache ... propping self-up to write final maternity nurse examination ... next morning just knew I had poliomyelitis'. Describes.Brother also had symptoms; 'doctor came ... you both have poliomyelitis ... if I admit you to hospital it would effectively close the hospital ... can't take any more poliomyelitis cases'. Explains.Arm and leg not much use 'but able to hobble around and look after my brother ... as soon as his temperature down started applying KENNY METHOD ... using two hot water bottles to pack leg with heat... massaged his legs'. Three weeks before able to get to physiotherapist. Describes.

049'19" TIME OFF TO RECOVERRequired three months off work to recover from poliomyelitis; '...when did go back couldn't pull curtain around a bed, hold a cup to my mouth ... gave me divided duties ... to get my leg in working order biked ... the streets of WHANGANUI'. Describes.

050'53" HOSPITAL FARMFarm adjacent to HAWERA HOSPITAL, supplied hospital; unpasteurised milk, sterilised in children's ward by boiling for babies' 'milk mixtures’; pigs to bacon factory; bacon returned to hospital; eggs came from poultry farm; daily fresh supply of vegetables. Describes. Farm Manager. Explains.

052'32" NURSES' HOMEFront door locked at 11 pm every night; nurses knew about and unlocked door; fire-escapes were also locked until nurses complained; fire-chief ruled must be kept open. Explains.HOME SISTER lived in, came around at 11 pm; 'if you were out a note was left and you were to report to the NIGHT SISTER when you came in'. Describes. One late leave allowed each week; PORTER would let in. Explains.Own laundry facilities; uniforms sent out once a week; dirty linen bag handed to HOME SISTER; bag with clean bed linen and uniforms handed back. Overalls stayed on wards. Explains.Hierarchy as to which floor you lived on and which bathroom could be used. Shifted when on night duty. Explains.Bread and butter supplied; dining room in the hospital. Explains.Visitor's room. Explains.

057'26" SOCIAL COMMITTEEMade own fun; piano; social committee with nurses from different levels; annual ball. Describes.

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Recorded: 4 DEC 2012 File: 3 of 4Interviewer: Margaret HorsburghAbstracter: Margaret HorsburghEquipment type:

Fostex FR- 2LE Digital Recorder

000'07" FILE INTRODUCTIONNote date of interview is 4 December 2012

000'32" ANAESTHESIA AT HAWERA HOSPITALAnaesthetic machines not available in 1951; chloroform used via a mask placed over the patient's nose; 'chloroform dripped on to mask ... patient became very restless ... unscrubbed nurse had to be ready to place self over entire patient’s trunk ... wait until struggling phase went'. Describes.When anaesthetic machines came in, the local GP [GENERAL PRACTITIONER] came every operating session; used NITROUS OXIDE; OXYGEN ' ... and other gases ... nurses job to clean filter on machine every day'. Describes.Usually started 'with an induction of PENTOTHAL '… until patient asleep'. Explains.

004'17" ANAESTHETIC RECOVERYAt end of operation, 'three bells went for theatre porter and WARD SISTER ... she was responsible ... mouth gag, tongue forceps had to go with patient ... kept thumb under jaw ... theatre bed made ready ... WARD SISTER sat beside patient until they were out of anaesthetic'. Describes.

005'27" AVOIDING POST-OPERATIVE COMPLICATIONSComplications included atelectasis; 'nil by mouth' for four hours before surgery; 'hypodermic injection given by senior nurse ... ATROPINE ... MORPHINE ... pre-medication prior to going to theatre'. Describes.

006'49" PINK'S DISEASEPINK'S DISEASE amongst children; commonest at time of teething; children very irritable and flushed; irritability caused by mercury poisoning '...due to mercury in teething powders'; every rung of cot was padded, '...children had a cerebral irritation ... banged their head ... hard to nurse'. Describes.

009'09" AN ASTUTE NIGHT SISTERAstute NIGHT SISTER mentioned to DOCTOR would be 'interesting to do VDRL [VENEREAL DISEASE RESEARCH LABORATORY] test'; for 15year old boy with PERICARDITIS; test came back strongly positive for SYPHILIS; family checked; siblings also had disease; CONGENITAL SYPHILIS; able to be treated with PENICILLIN; painful intramuscular injection. Describes.

011'27" AVOIDING BECOMING INFECTEDSmall girl screamed when given intramuscular injection for CONGENITAL SYPHILIS; '... she scratched me ... doused myself with as much iodine as could find'. Describes.

011'49" PUBLIC HEALTH TRACE SYPHILIS CONTACTS

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Whole family had SYPHILIS; PUBLIC HEALTH notified and traced contacts. Explains.

012'02" VENEREAL DISEASESNursed many patients with complications of SYPHILIS; with TABES DORSALIS; particular gait; ROMBERG'S SIGN; not able to stand with eyes shut for any length of time. Describes.WHANGANUI had a clinic operating in evenings, attended by MALE NURSES only; for men to be treated with PENICILLIN; older men back from World War 1. Explains.Occasional case of GONORRHEA; both SYPHILIS and GONORRHEA reported to PUBLIC HEALTH for contact tracing. Explains.

014'22" WORKING CONDITIONSHad board and lodgings, free text-books; new pair of duty shoes every six months; 'not all hospitals paid the same amount ... we were paid ten shillings a week more [at HAWERA] than the nurses at WHANGANUI'; back -pay in final year enabled purchase of a new watch with 'second hand'. Explains.Pay did not equate with teachers, 'who were the upper echelon'. Describes.SURGEON considered that nurses’ pay should equate with any 'Bachelor of Arts' degree. Describes.One day off each week; ' lucky if got this day off each week'; two weeks annual leave. Explains.

017'20" CHRISTMAS DAY/EVENo-one had Christmas Day off; special day; night nurses worked the same; 'other staff worked generally to cover the wards ... MATRON presided over special Christmas lunch ... rang a little bell’. Describes. Not possible to see family. Describes.On Christmas Eve all staff went through wards singing Christmas carols; in full uniform; patient families came in for Christmas eve and day. Describes.

019'01" CONDITIONS ACCEPTEDWorking conditions accepted; NURSES' ASSOCIATION was there if any complaints. Explains.Grumbled 'amongst ourselves in the sitting room ... who got leave they wanted ... protected each other'. Nurse unable to get evening off to see boyfriend; ‘SISTER deemed she should work'. Explains. Later came across this particular nurse;' ... do you remember when I couldn't go to the ball with Laurie?'. Describes.

022'13" STUDENT NURSES' ASSOCIATIONActive Student Nurses' Association; went to CHRISTCHURCH to a conference; Miss CAMERON, DIRECTOR OF DIVISION OF NURSING; ' ... wanted to know why so few nurses go into theatre ... promised us was all off the record'. Describes.

023'41" SMOKINGNurses smoked; ' ... I didn't like it ... wasting too much money ... would spend my smoke money each week on the ENGLISH NURSES JOURNAL'. Describes.

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024'23" ENGLISH NURSES JOURNALJournal came very week, had questions; articles by DR CLARK KENNEDY,' ... liked his medical stories ... how he described things, like intermittent claudication of the legs ... made those sort of conditions easier to understand. Describes.

025'25" ALCOHOLSome alcohol available; not allowed in Nurses' Home. Explains.

025'57" BOYFRIENDSBoyfriend during training was a CHEMIST in hospital pharmacy; taken to movies; ' ... walked back to Nurses' Home and in by eleven'. Describes.

026'42" RELATIONSHIPSSeveral senior nurses had relationships amongst themselves. Explains. Pregnant student 'looked after ... put her into children's ward ... not quite so noticeable by patients ... had her baby and returned ... completed training'. Describes.Standard when became engaged was to be put on night duty. Explains.

028'49" ROSTERSMATRON did ward changes; WARD SISTER did day to day duty roster, '... would try and fit around afternoon lectures ... if she couldn't you had to find someone to replace you ... not always easy'. Describes.Two days leave a week when REGISTERED NURSE. Explains.

030'26" RECEIVING THE NEWS - BECOMING A REGISTERED NURSEUsual place for studying was sitting on floor in bedroom with all books around, '... knock came at my door and MATRON ... who had come from CHRISTCHURCH and was still wearing black shoes and stockings and wide belt ... knocked on my door and came in and said congratulations nurse you have passed'. Describes.Only about three nurses sitting 'finals'. Explains.The REGISTERED NURSES loaned a badge, '... and pinned it on you'. Did not wear this badge on the wards however, waited until presented with own. Explains.

032'36" GRADUATIONParents invited, MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT and all available REGISTERED NURSES attended ceremony in Nurses' Tutorial Department. Recited the FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE creed,' ... which I have never forgotten'. Details.Badge pinned on right hand side,' ... presented with hospital training schedule'. Explains.REGISTERED NURSES' ASSOCIATION presented a framed copy of the FIVE POINT STAR. Details

035'31" GRADUATION CELEBRATION'Special' afternoon tea put on; MATRON provided an ice-cream cake. Describes.

036'16" STAFF NURSE AT HAWERASent wherever needed as a STAFF NURSE; initially in Children's ward. Explains.

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Memorable patient; small girl with injuries from falling off pony; presentation not typical until ' ... LADY SURGEON came in and said have you been playing with Mummy's lipstick'; child had ruptured spleen. Describes.

038'18" LADY SURGEONLADY SURGEON on call if MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT away; otherwise she worked as an OBSTETRICIAN. Explains.

038'41" STAFF NURSE DUTIES – INSULINSTAFF NURSE duties included checking INSULIN, given according to latest urine test for sugar and acetone. Details.Two types of insulin. Describes. NIGHT SISTER always checked urine charts, ' ...to be sure they wouldn't go into insulin shock in night... which patients to have supper'. Describes.

041'24" NEW RESPONSIBILITIES – MEDICINESAs a REGISTERED NURSE held the drug key; for cupboard in ward office ; 'held everything ... MORPHINE, ATROPINE'; responsible for accuracy of drugs; signatures in drug book; collecting drugs from PHARMACY'. Describes.Responsible for all medicines; going on 'rounds' with the DOCTOR; altering reports; 'separate medicines list with every patient's name'. Describes.Senior nurse gave out drugs,'... came to you for checking ... one person never gave out EYE DROPS'. Describes.Responsible for stock in 'sterilising room ... poultices, plasters'. Explains.KAOLIN poultice used for inflamed areas, sore chests. Heated on sterilisers. 'Purpose to draw blood to area'. Describes.

044'57" TREATMENT FOR IMPETIGO/EXZEMAUsed face-masks in Children's ward; made from old linen; used household STARCH with BORACIC POWDER added; pasted on mask,'... applied to child's face to lift the crust'. Describes.

045'40" STAFF NURSE UNIFORMAfter 12 or 18 months were awarded a 'veil';'...when the MATRON saw fit'. Explains.

046'28" MATERNITY NURSE TRAININGWanted to do MATERNITY and then MIDWIFERY; most nurses did MATERNITY NURSING. Explains.Completed six months MATERNITY TRAINING at STRATFORD AVON MATERNITY HOSPITAL. Explains.Training was alongside 'eighteen month trainees ... training to be REGISTERED MATERNITY NURSE'. Explains.Ward duties included 'swabbing women after passing urine ... wash the genital area ... quite a procedure ... perineal toilet'; observe lochia. Describes.Babies delivered under GYNAECOLOGY CONSULTANT supervision; MIDWIFE and two nurses present at deliveries; ' ... mostly delivered in left lateral position'. Describes. As a student delivered babies. Explains. Some GPs [GENERAL PRACTITIONERS] also delivered babies. Explains.Made and autoclaved own theatre packs. Explains.

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Joan TAIT

Cared for babies if mother unmarried; '... babies were up for adoption'. Describes.[Note required to complete 20 supervised deliveries and 20 ‘unsupervised deliveries’ ; recorded in case history book].

052'28" KARITANE NURSEKARITANE NURSE worked in the nursery, 'keeping check on babies all of the time'. Describes.

052'59" MATERNITY NURSE EXAMWritten, oral and practical exam at end of six months. MIDWIFE from another hospital took the oral exam; ' one of questions ... how would a patient without any measuring jug ... measure her own urine if at home ...'. [Additionally required to explain how she would cope with an unexpected delivery at home]. Describes.

054'08" MOVING TO WHANGANUIApplied for a position in a medical ward at WHANGANUI HOSPITAL; '... wanted to get away from HAWERA ... WHANGANUI ... was one of leading towns ... very good hospital'. Describes. Had three months off at this time to recover from POLIOMYELITIS.MATRON had written indicating concern about recovery from POLIOMYELITIS, '... time I was losing ... offered a divided duty... 6am to 10am and 6pm to 10 pm'. Describes. Provided opportunity during the day to have physiotherapy, '.and I had a bike and used to bike around WHANGANUI'. Helped recovery. Describes. 'Grateful to MATRON, Miss BUCKINGHAM for encouraging return to nursing'. Explains.[Note that for Joan contracting poliomyelitis limited her career; ‘Miss CAMERON, CHIEF NURSE had had my life mapped for me’.]

056'34" MEDICAL WARDWorked in Medical Ward at WHANGANUI HOSPITAL as a junior STAFF NURSE; first morning 'presented by senior nurse with INSULINS drawn up ... much to her disgust took every INSULIN and squirted down the sink ... both of us will draw up INSULIN ... I wasn't sure what she had drawn up'. Describes.

058'04" REGISTERED NURSES' QUARTERSLived in NURSES' HOME in WHANGANUI; ‘... Home six... had been an old MATERNITY HOSPITAL ... much more free... no-one worried about us'. Describes.


000'05" INRODUCTION TO FILE 4

000'36" INCIDENT PRIOR TO BECOMING JUNIOR SISTERDetails incident which occurred as a staff nurse on late shift looking after a patient with GAS GANGRENE; patient given PENTOTHOL and put in STRAIGHT JACKET; requested to special patient and instructed by MEDICAL REGISTRAR that if patient wakes, ' to get outside the door , bring the suction machine and ring me'; not to let patient out of

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straight jacket; NIGHT SISTER took exception to boy being in straight jacket,' I was told to remove it immediately ... I said I won't, it has taken so many to get him here ... when I came back from supper he was out of his straight jacket ... I decided to put him back ... those were my instructions ... NIGHT SISTER reported me to the MATRON for my insubordination'; MATRON's response , '... you have done all that I would have expected of one of my staff nurses ... I think that it is time that I gave you your veil'.Mark of a SISTER at WHANGANUI HOSPITAL was the wearing of a veil. Explains.Importance of medical instructions being documented explained.

007'59" LOST PATIENTDetails episode of young DIABETIC patient running away from hospital; name used to advertise for him '... over the air' [radio].

009'03" CHANGED ROLE - NURSE TUTORContinued at WHANGANUI HOSPITAL as a staff nurse/sister until end of 1957; MATRON one Saturday morning noticed didn't have long sleeved uniform, '... SISTERS wore uniforms with long sleeves', and then said ' ... there is a vacancy in the tutorial department ... I want you to report there on Monday morning'. Describes.Not asked if wanted this role, but 'I always liked teaching'. Explains.

010'36" TUTORING - WHANGANUI HOSPITALTaught PRELIMINARY nurses, teaching practical nursing, ' making beds ... getting them on to wards ... gradually allowed to teach how to take temperatures'. Describes.Suggested should complete post-graduate DIPLOMA in WELLINGTON. Explains.Found working with particular SENIOR TUTOR difficult; '... met the new MATRON of HAWERA' and returned to HAWERA. Explains.

013'06" HAWERA HOSPITAL SISTERBecame relieving WARD SISTER at HAWERA HOSPITAL. Explains.'Told one day by MATRON ... to report to tutorial department on Monday morning'. Describes.

014'07" TUTORING AT HAWERA HOSPITAL - NURSE EXAMINATIONSIn charge of 'PRELIM girls and gradually worked my way up ... to become SENIOR TUTOR'. Explains. HAWERA at time had two curriculums going,' new and old ... bringing in obstetrics'. Explains.Nurse examinations changed from long answer questions to multiple-choice questions,' found challenging ... often ambiguous ... questions set in WELLINGTON'. Describes.

017'01" TUTORING ARRANGEMENTSNot offered opportunity to study for postgraduate DIPLOMA, 'they had no one to replace me'. Explains.Two TUTORS; changed time of lectures 'from 8.30 am to 4.30pm to 7am to 3pm ... so had a bit of the day to prepare tomorrow's lectures ... by this time block system in'. Describes.

018'11" ENHANCING SKILLS AS A TUTORDuring one month holiday spent time in AUCKLAND; had written to MISS KIRKNESS, MATRON-IN-CHIEF, AUCKLAND; 'had always liked the

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books MISS GORDON [TUTOR in AUCKLAND, later MATRON GREEN LANE HOSPITAL] had used ... techniques written out ... cyclostyled notes'; spent a week in the TUTORIAL NURSING SCHOOL in AUCKLAND, ' with MISS HOSKING'. Describes.When ' BOARD found I had done that they granted me an extra week's leave'. Explains.

020'02" MARRIAGEHad met husband- to- be [JIM TAIT] when first in WHANGANUI; parted company while he travelled overseas; on his return married [1960] and moved back to WHANGANUI. Explains.

021'36" BACK TUTORING WHANGANUI HOSPITAL/ BREAK TO HAVE CHILDRENRequested to come back and help in tutorial department at WHANGANUI; there one year and then, 'by this time having my first baby'; left while had two children [1962 and 1963] and shifted around country with husband; WHANGEREI, PALMERSTON NORTH; husband had a role in the POST OFFICE ; telecommunications; back to WHANGANUI, 'when they wanted a TUTOR again ... for COMMUNITY NURSES'. Explains.

023'03" COMMUNITY NURSE TUTORChildren at school; became TUTOR for COMMUNITY NURSES; 18 month training; six month ENDORSEMENT. Explains.

023'37" EXPANDING KNOWLEDGEBecame TUTOR for 'PRELIM NURSES' again and for ‘MEDICAL’ nursing; provided an opportunity to keep up-to-date through attending all PHYSICIAN lectures. Explains.Tutorial Department had a large lecture theatre;' ... needed a projectionist for old films ... would do that for them ... and I used to learn'. Describes.

024'56" BUSY TUTORIAL DEPARTMENT- BACK TO NURSING COURSEFive TUTORS; GENERAL NURSE, OBSTETRIC NURSE and COMMUNITY NURSE TRAINING and a BACK TO NURSING programme. Ran refresher course for nurses wishing to return to nursing. Explains. Changes in equipment; intramuscular injections, intravenous fluids; nursing care changes. Describes.

026'25" REGISTERED NURSE UPDATE SESSIONSRegistered Nurses wishing to come back to nursing after period away; also many registered nurses in community who may not necessarily want to work; nurses lived in very wide geographic area; farming communities; update of knowledge, techniques and equipment essential; '... I asked if I could use the lecture theatre at night ... if the doctors would come and lecture ... and bring the nurses up to date ... they don't need to come back to work, they can be out in the community ... registered nurses would be willing to help in community but need to be conversant with newer techniques'. Describes.Nurses paid three dollars each lecture night to cover use of theatre and films; ten dollar voucher for the doctor who lectured; six week series of lectures; advertised in local paper; ' ... well over 100 nurses responded'. Explains.Undertook this in own time with no payment; '... a lot came from up the PARAPARA [near TAIHAPE]... miles out from WHANGANUI ...

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farmers’ wives out in the hill country ... invaluable for them'. Describes.

030'43" MOVE TO WELLINGTONChanged circumstances and role [1980]; husband's work meant a shift to WELINGTON; ' ... and also nursing training was going out of schools'; looked after father -in-law for 14 years at home and then mother and father at home. Explains.Saw advertisement for a receptionist at NEWLANDS MEDICAL CENTRE [WELLINGTON]; completed training requirements for PRACTICE NURSING; worked as the receptionist; helped nurses and doctors when busy; doctors found it useful having a receptionist with knowledge; able to give advice on when to advise patient must see doctor. Describes.

033'41" MAINTAINED PRACTISING CERTIFICATEMaintained PRACTISING CERTIFICATE until 1988; became ill at time and 'gave away REGISTERED NURSES' ASSOCIATION'; not practicable to retain currency for PRACTISING CERTIFICATE. Explains.

034'06" END OF RECORDING.

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