The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-30
NURSES GRADUATE |:
FROM MEMORIAL n I. |.
Interesting Exercises at Medical
College Last Night, When the
Nurses Received Diplomas.
SOLEMN PLEDGE f. OF NURSES NJ Isl
SOLEMN PLEDGE OF NURSES
Pleasant Speeches Badges
Awarded and a Pleasing Re
ception Completes Term.

The amphitheatre OF the Medical Col
lege Of Virginia was crowded last night
at tbs third annual commencement ex-.
ercises OF the Memorial Training School
for Nurses The platform was tastefully
decorated with potted palms, ferns and
smilax. Delegates from OIL the large hos
pitfalls In the city were present, as we'll
as many Of the most prominent phyal--#
Giants.
chestra Rev. Dr. william v. Tudor OPP
Sened the exercises with prayer.
The dean Of the Medical College OF
Virginia, DR.. Christopher Tompkins, de-
sllvered the address to the graduates. lie
spoke in part as follows.
"The good woman who Is also a well
trained nurse Is simply perfect In ner
sphere. No man, however carefully
cupation. IS t
The training school OF the Memorial
Hospital is at present composed OF forty
pupils, buttthis number will be increased
by fall to forty-fve. It was the first,
and. SO far ns I have been advised up to
this time. Is the only training school in
Virginia registered by the Board Of Re-
gents In New York. In sending these
ladies' forth in this, their chosen profess
/ sion. we do SO with the full assurance
that they are well fitted for the duties
they will be called Elpon to perform. The
. didactic lectures to the pupil nurses are
delivered by the lady superintendent and
L the drectress OF nurses Of the Memorial
Hospital and by the faculty Of the Med
ical College OF Virginia. Their practical
information is obtained by three years.
service as pupil nurses in the Memorial
Hospital.
In October OF last year the eight-hour
system was established in this hospital.
By this system each nurse Is given four
{ hours for study each day. instead OF two.
This has been done as q step toward the
establishment Of a preliminary course
for nurses, In which the beginners will
get an important part OF the necessary
practical training before being permitted
to attend patients, a method which is
being gradually adopted by all OF tho
loading training schools in this country.
Hereafter there will be at this school
supervisor, of nurses or q second assistant
to the superintendent. AS one OF those.
who had to consider the qualifications
of this class for graduation, congratu-
late them on their success. In behalf
Of the faculty OF the Medical College OF
Virginia, whom have the honor to rep
resent, I most cordially wish them all
that could be desired of health. hnppi-
ness and prosperity.
Miss Van Wort. the superintendent. read
the solemn obligation to the nurses IN
which they bind themselves as follows
II solemnly promise and swear. that
In the practice OF my profession Will
always be loyal to the patients entrusted
to my care and to the physicians under
whom I shall serve.
That will not mako use Of nor recon-
mend any quack or secret nostrum
That will be Just and generous to
members of my profession, aiding them
when they shall need aid and can
do so without detriment to myself or to
my patient. That I will lead my life and
practice my profession In uprightness
and honor. That I will not lend my aid
to any criminal or Illegal practice what.
ever That into whatever house shall
enter 1t shall DO for the good OF the
sick to the utmost Of my po~'eE
THAT whatever shall see or hear
OF tho lives OF men or women. whether
they be my patients or members OF their
households. that will hold inviolanly
secret, and that ! will continue to OBJ
serve and to study and VIII strive IN
every way fop; the Improvement OF my
professions not regarding It as means
OF livelihood alone, but MS an honorable
and upright calling, +"
DIR. Robins then presented diplomas to
the following graduates: Misses Anna
Belle BarksdaIo. Mary Leigh Griffith,
Martha Ester Hurt, Annie Belle john
son. Virgfi< Lee Whitehead, Mug Agnes
Smith, Rose Hancock
Badges we're delivered to the nurses.
Miss Rose Hancock receiving tho sl'ecial
badge OF distinction and also the senior
class prize. Miss Lillian Beard received
the junior class prize,
After tho reading Of II paper by Rev.
G.. w. AIcDarMcl on the work of Florence
Nightingale and the benedictlon by Dr.
Tudor, u pleasing reception was held
pTcuT THE OFFICER