Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-30

physician, and also that the nurse
may make constant cndeavor to adj
vance in knowledge as the years roll
by"
The nurses oath is as follows:
81 solemnly promise and swear that
in the practice of my profession | will
always be loyal to the patients en-
trusted to my care and to the physi-
clans under whom I shall serve. That
l will not make use of nor recommend
any quack or secret nostrum. That l
will be just and generous to members
of my profession, aiding them when
they shall need aid and l can do so
without detriment to myself or to
my patients. That will lead my life
and practice my profession in up
rightness and honor. That | will not
lend my aid to any criminal or lille
gal practice whatever That into
whatever house shall enter it shall
be for the good of the sick to the ut
most of my power. That whatever I
shall see or hear of the lives of men
and women, whether they be my pa
tients or members of their households,
that will I hold inviolably secret. That
I will continue to observe and to study
and will strive in every way for the
Improvement of my profession; not
regarding it as means Of livelihood
alone, but as an honorable and up
right calling"
After the oath had been taken Dr.
Klipstein said:
Ladies, it now becomes my pleas
ing duty to present you with this pin,
4 further evidence of the regard in
which you are held by your Alma
Mater-the Alexandria Hospital. l
note engraved upon this pin a crown
and a cross, beautifully symbolic Of
the oath you have just taken. If
You be loyal to both physician and
family you will at times have crosses
to bear, but take my word for it, III
properly bearing these crosses you
will have as reward crown of
happiness and satisfaction which can
only be attained as the reward of
duty we'll done
Each pin as presented was pinned
on the nurse by Miss Simmons, the
Superintendent, while the nurses re-
mained standing. Then DR.. Klipstcin
said:
Ladies, in parting with you as pu-
pill and instructor, permit me on be-
half of the medical staff of the Alex
andria Hospital to thank you for the
many courtesies extended us during
the past three years. and likewise to
express our deep regret in parting
with the class of 1912.
"Many daughters have done virtu-
ously, but thou exccllest them all. We
wish you God speed in any field into
which you may enter"
Dr.. William NJ. Smith, in his inim-
liable way, presented the diplomas
with a beautiful address in which he
paid the highest tribute to the faith
fulness and skill of the class with
whom he had been closely associated
in their three years Of work and
study, also paying tribute to women
and the nursing profession. His ad-
dress was very beautiful and to the
point. The happy nurses were then
in possession Of the diplomas for
which they have given three years OF
their life, of physical and mental toll,
to fit themselves for profession and
life of usefulness to their fellow men.
OF little avail would be the training
OF our nurses if mixed with our thcor-
les were not the advice Of unselfiSh
? ? ? and point the opportunities
to them to influence the souls as well
as the sick body.
After the awarding of diplomas,
Master Allen Hunt Roberts came to
the stage and placed the flowers that
were brought in by the ushers, Messrs.
Taylor and Julian Burke, Harry Ca
ton, W. p. Taylor and W. A. Moore, jr.
The floral tributes paid to the nurses
were numerous and beautiful, and
said much for their popularity in the
city.
The benediction was pronounced by
Rev. William J. Morton, after which
the class received their friends in
front of the stage. At the hospital
the nurses received congratulations
from the Board of Managers, the doc
tors and their wives, and Board Of
Trustees and their wives, in an infor-
NAL reception.
These nurses will go before the
State Board of Examiners for regis