MEMORIES OF NURSING IN THE 1900’S BEFORE THE N.H.S.

A life rather than just a job

I was 18 years old when war was declared (1939). As I was already in the Red Cross, I was sent to join No 10 Company R.A.M.C. and posted to a Military Hospital when the ward staff consisted of sister Q.A.N.C., trained nurses and Red Cross nurses with very basic training and R.A.M.C. orderlies.

Saturday mornings were gas drills and we worked in our gas masks. After a few months, I got my discharge in order to do my general training. I trained in a small voluntary hospital in London. In the preliminary training school we were not paid (all nursing staff trained and untrained were compelled to live in). We had to supply our own books and worked 5½ days per week.

The day began with prayers, followed by lectures, with ½ day per week in the wards for practical work. At the end of three months we sat our exams in anatomy, physiology, hygiene and practical nursing. After passing our exams, we were given one month on the wards, if your work was considered satisfactory you then signed a contract to train for three years at a starting salary of £30 per year with board and accommodation.

Hours of Duty

We commenced at 7.30.am to 9.pm (if you were lucky, you were asked to go off duty otherwise you waited to be told - usually around 9.20-9.30.pm). Off duty during the day was 10.am-12.pm or 2.00-4.pm with one evening off per week at 18:00 followed by one day off. Night duty in training was three months each year with ten nights on, two nights off, ten nights on, one night off. We never had any problems sleeping in the day, we were so tired. At Radford Infirmary Oxford doing my part 1 midwifery on night duty we worked a full calendar month on with four nights off at the end. We were allowed two hours off during the night if you did not have a case.

General Hospital

Our ward sisters had no specific time off during the day but did adjourn to their sittingroom on the ward when the ward was quiet. They had only ½ day off per week and one day per month. Hours of off duty did improve somewhat after the war, but it was the late 50's and early 60's before most hospitals introduced a five day week.

Living In

Living in was rather like living in a convent with matron as Mother Superior. During dinner at mid day you sat at long tables in order of seniority with matron at the head of the sisters' table. Grace was said before and after meals. On some wards the day began with a prayer said by sister, this was entirely up to the sister.

There were many petty rules in the Nurses House where the home sister was in charge but we did have fun breaking them! Our rooms were kept clean by domestic staff and on our days off we were served breakfast in bed. One nurse was caught by the night sister coming through the French window of the sitting room in the early hours (she had left these open earlier) as she had done this several times. She was told to go to her bed, but not to go on duty and be ready in uniform at 9.am. when she was taken to matron and was told to pack her bags and be out of the nurses home by midday. We never saw her again for a few years when she told us the whole story. Such was the discipline.

 TO BE CONTINUED NEXT MONTH

Margaret Morris