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While recently going through some of my many scrapbook items (which really aren’t in a scrapbook, but in a cardboard box), I found an article I had forgotten about.
It is a list of duties expected of nurses in 1894.
I’m not sure where it came from, but I think one of my colleagues gave it to me when I was working in the Student Health Center at Winona State University. In case I ever thought my job was rough, all I had to do was review what my duties might have been in another era. Actually, (and this will come as no surprise to those who know me very well) I would have never made it.
In recognition of National Nurses Week — May 6 through May 12 — I thought it might be fun for everyone, including nurses, to have a glimpse into the very early days of this excellent profession.
Nurses’ Duties in 1894 (source unknown)
(Although these duties were not numbered, I have done so for a reason which you will understand later in the column.)
A list of duties for floor nurses presents a strict picture of duty for the dedicated nurses of the day.
1. In addition to caring for your 50 patients, each nurse will follow these regulations.
2. Daily sweep and mop the floors of your ward; dust the patient’s furniture and window sills.
3. Maintain an even temperature in your ward by bringing in a scuttle of coal for the day’s business.
4. Light is important to observe the patient’s condition. Each day fill kerosene lamps, clean chimneys and trim wicks. Wash the windows once a week.
5. Notes are important. Make your pens carefully; you may whittle nibs to your individual needs.
6. Each nurse on day duty will report every day at
7 a.m. and leave at 8 p.m., except on the Sabbath, on which day you will be off from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
7. Nurses in good standing with the director of nurses will be given an evening off each week if you go regularly to church.
8. Any nurse who smokes, uses liquor in any form, gets her hair done at a beauty shop or frequents dance halls will give the director of nurses good reason to suspect
her worth, intentions and integrity.
There you have them. Now, allow me to lend my personal responses to each of the above rules, perhaps even as I would have back in 1894.
1. What do you mean by 50 patients? Do you not know that being responsible for that many patients compromises the quality of care?
2. Where is the housekeeping staff?
3. What’s a scuttle?
4. Get me a flashlight. Kerosene stinks. Oh, no such things as flashlights? How about some aroma therapy candles?
5. Whittling my nibs doesn’t sound like a very worthwhile way to spend my time.
6. That’s just way too many hours; also, I need more time off on the Sabbath. That’s the day the Lord said I should rest.
7. Is the director male or female? This could be considered sexual harassment.
8. The smoking rule is fine, but does liquor in any form include a glass of wine with dinner? And if my hair doesn’t look good, I don’t feel good, and if I don’t feel good, I’m not worth much.
Dancing is fun, and my intention is to be happy. If I’m not happy, I can’t make my patients happy.
And lets talk about integrity: Integrity is synonymous with honesty, and as you can see by my statements above, if I’ve proven nothing else, I’ve certainly proven my honesty. And for that, I consider myself worthy to be a nurse.
Yes, nurses have come a long way in their profession, and I have the utmost admiration for those who went before us and paved the way for what is a highly respected and vital profession.
I would like to dedicate this column to the memory of my mother who was, indeed, the epitome of a wonderful and caring nurse. And even though she entered nurses’ training much later than 1894, she would have followed these rules to the letter.
Well, maybe not the one about dancing.
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