The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-31
ST vino; Cen II S SCHOOL
-Four Trained Nurses Graduated Yesterday
from That Well KRoWn Institution.
SPLENDID ADDRESS BY Or. Leigh
life Tells OF tho Dutics OF n Nurse, De>
fscribea tho Work OF tho school, De-
sivers n Beautiful Charge TO the
Graduates ana Pays Tribute 10
Sister Isidoro.

Sister IsIdorc.
large audience gathered yesterday
afternoon III the concert hall OF ST.
Mary's Academy, on Chapel street, to
witness THE graduating exercises of the
class Of 1897 of the training school for
nurses, which was established by Sis
ter Isadore at st. Vincent's Hospital in
1893.
The hour set for the opening OF the
exercises was O'Clock, and a few
minutes after that the large curtains
hiding the stage were parted and the
entrance march from faust for two
pianos, at which were seated Misses
Cora Lnwler and Agnes Hodges an
nounced the presence of the class of
ladies', four of whom were to have con-
fered upon rhcm the honor for which
they had strived so faithfully for the
past two years The graduates, Misses
]. Mckinley l.. Foster and ]. Burgess.
and Mrs. Il. Smith. who were dressed
In the professional White costume,
headed the procession, and took chairs
arranged for them to the front of the
stage, while the other ladies were seat
ed In semi-circle In the rear. The
sweet faces of these noble young women
and the contrast of their costumes pre-.
sented picture that was indeed pleas
ing to look upon After the pretty
group had been formed, the we'll ar
ranged programme was begun, and was
as follows:
cMranc march. Faust" (for two
pian0s) .......... ..........
Misses Anna Conner, Alice Law
Ter Cora Lawler and Agnes
Hodges.
Soprano solo. "Laudate Domin-
num-. Miss Mary Kennedy
Salutatory...... ..........Miss Burgess
instrumental duet. ..... ..
misses Cora and Alice Lawlcr.
Address. ........ ............ DIR. Leigh
Violin concerto, "Buch,".
........ ..........M Mr.. Paul Kruger
Soprano solo with violin obIigato)
My Dreams.".. Mrs. J. P. Kevill
Awarding medals and diplomas.
....Dr. Lomax Gwalthmey
Naledictory.... Miss Mckinley
Vocal duct. Holy Mother, Guide
Their Footsteps"
Misses Mary Taylor and Blanche
+" Ladue
Accompanist, Mr.. ]. W. Casey.
nhe above programme was we'll rem
aered, the audience showing its appre-
citation by applaudinE each number as
1t was rendered -
DR.. SouthGate Leige very eIoouently
ana with much feeling delivered a most
beautiful address, which was as fol
lows:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Primarily, hospitals are Intended 20,
inc poor man, when stricken down with
sickness and disease; n place where no
can at a small expense to himself or
the community, get every comfort the
1enderest care, and the best medical
and surgical skill A good hospital
prides itself IN giving to the poorest
of its patients as perfect opportuni-
Ties for recovery as the wealthiest in
the land can obtain.
The management and arrangement of
hosp'tai are such rs to facilitate the
caring for large number of patients at
minimum expense. No such institu-
tion is complete without we'll organ
lied training school for nurses.
a NURSES DUTIES.
young woman wishing to enter the
school makes written application and
furnishes certificates of good health
and character. If accepted. she enters
Tor one month on probation. during
which time she has an opportunity OF
judging OF the kind of work she may
expect 10 do. and the superintendent
may In turn Judge CT her fitness for
the calling. Much depends upon this
decision. Not every woman Is fitted tn
he nurse. No one should enter the
profession simply as n means of live
lihood. or she will make n most certain
failure. One must in her heart be de-
voted TO the work Of relieving suffer-
ing humanity. If accepted. the nurse
signs contract for n term of two wears
In the service of the hospital, and
adopts the regular uniform OF the
school Her training Is Thorough and
varied. Lectures by the different phy-
sic,ans on their spectal branches. in
struction in the elements of anatomy
physiology, chemistry and materia med.
lea. and most important Of all in prac-
tical bedside nursing. Thus the nurse
serves regular apprenticeship, cover
ing a period of two years time For
n rev months she Is assigned ONLY the
simpler duties under the supervision OF
the superior nurses, and she under
takes no responsible nursing until she
has been thoroughly fitted by experience
and instruction. No nurse is put In
charge of an i'll patient until she Is full
ly trained for such cases. Each ward
or floor has a head nurse in charge.
with several assistants under her dl.
rection.
1T would surprise you what an ex-
rensivc experience in all branches OF
medical and surgical nursing, these
young ladies acquire.
During very active hospital service
of more than eight years. have seen
n great deal of the training Of nurses,
and can testify to the thorouChness
of our American system. And I can
truthfully state that the graduates of
this noble institution in Norfolk can
hold their own" with those from any
other Institution in the land.