General Chat

Did anyone have to go to Matron if they broke a thermometer???
I did!!! Many a time

anyone out there remember the medicine rounds on shakey glasstop trolleys?

Also read the Monica Dickens book..
And wear Blue Grass..still do!
It was originally given to me by a patient on Private Wards when I was a cadet and have worn it ever since.
I wrote on the hem of my apron as well,usually fluid balance numbers.

Damp dusting every Monday morning,all th ebeds were pushed to the centre of the ward and the maids cleaned the curtain rails and the floor...We washed down all the beds,and tables,including the wheels and they had to be but back all facing the same way...all before Matrons round..

I am enjoying the triggering of all these memories and relieved to find I can still remember them!!
Back and knees a bit "iffy"-all that lifting!
Bet

It's so good to find others with the same early memories. Reading the Radio times for next week, about our Flo, makes me remember that I was one of the Army nurses who were on parade in London and Westminster Abbey for the Florence Nightingale centenary in 1954, Inspected by Princess Margaret. We were sent back to basic training camp in Liphook for 2 wks to polish up our marching skills, but we were so proud to be marching through Trafalgar Square and down Horseguards parade with the soldiers, Have never felt so smart.

'Our Flo' !!! :-)))))))Love it!!

Yes I remember writing on our aprons as well. Lots of keys jangling as you walked although none of them were of any real importance (well only to me). The cap that would not sit straight on my head especially if I had just washed my hair, the itchy starched collar and apron. Forgetting to put my laundry out on laundry day and taking it home to my Mum and asking her to starch my caps and aprons!!!!!!! Never quite the same though. Split shifts were disliked as I hated getting up at 7.30am, going on duty for 8am then to go off duty at 11am and back in the afternoon and working while my friends were getting ready to go out. Still great days and memories.

Love and Peace
Marianne.x

Remember the split shifts -had forgotten them .
It was great when you had a long weekend - 4 days off together . I used to go home and sleep for 12 hours. My Mum wondered if I was still alive!!!
I remember writing obs on my apron too.
Who went out after a back shift when on early next day .? I met my hubby at an engagement party after a late shift -wasn`t going to go as early next day but a friend persuaded me--the rest is history,
Ros xx

I still remember Sister Tutors words:
And if nurse, you come to me saying Sister, I hurt my back lifting a patient, I shall say to you.......No nurse - you hurt your back lifting the patient incorrectly!!!

Memories of the 'Australian Lift' !

do you remember doing your 'parts A B C D'
and the tutor coming to the ward to assess you ?
I remember the Total Patient Care assessment where the patient did their utmost to help you pass and winked craftily at the end.
When doing the medicine assessment ALL patients had new, clear ID bands on........courtesy of the night staff.

Today it is called Direct Observational Practice. and the assessors today aren't half as scarey !

I've still got my book where everything that you did was observed and ticked..and signed by the ward Sister.
Also remember the tutor saying about lifting..
The Australian lift.Remember that as well,it helped to have two nurses the same size to do that..
Drinking Camp coffee in the kitchen,,,

Doing well girls.... great thread.
Thank you.
Deanna X

The blocks to put under the front legs of the bed to raise it and the metal bed cradles to keep the weight of the blankets off the patient. None of those things around today. Oh, and the red rubber mackintoshes under the bottom sheet and drawsheet.

Split shifts, 7.30am to 1.00pm then off til 5pm on until 8.30 pm. We worked a48hr week. Remember Sister Tutor telling us to remember that without patients we would be out of a job, so take good care of them!
I often trimmed my own hair, and once cut it so short I had to use double sided sellotape to keep my cap on! Been so tired sometimes have lain on the bed and gone to sleep dressed and with my cap still on.
Our army ward dress had a starched belt, epaulettes and brass buttons all the way down the front. We wore Sister Dora caps, and we all did our own starching as the laundry never did them right. Evenings were often spent polishing buttons and shoes before lights out. Jean

I had forgotten about those thick red mackintosh draw sheets .Did you wash then in carbolic solution? Thinking about bed cradles can you remember making up the beds for ops?This is such a good work out for my ever decreasing memory.so many thanks to all.

Yes,washed in the sluice in carbolic after each patient.
No wonder the bugs didn't stand a chance.
Barrier and reverse barrier nursing..Tray of carbolic at the door before you could go in.Masks,gowns and gloves every time,

must say..fascinating hearing bout all your different aspects of nursing...the uniforms..the complexities of it! If I had to starch caps..uniforms..etc. I would never get to work on time! I am still nursing and expect to be for next 20 yrs..til I retire..my training days back in 1989, will always be the most memeorable..I have learned So so much in being a nurse..through people I have nursed mostly. The vulenerabilty of life..most shifts I finish..I thank my lucky stars..

Who here through nursing made them..stronger..resilient..(gain a sense of humour!)..not to be shocked by anything?..

"Really?..you stuck it there?..how did it get there?..really?!"..lol...

Anyone today that got a Daily Mirror today would have seen the bit about Florence Nightingale..turned out more men died on her wards then on the battlefield..that was interesting.

Do any of you remember that horrible tow - used to clean up incontinent patients, it was like horse-hair. Also setting up trolleys from scratch for lumbar punctures, dressings, etc, then having to put everything into the sterilizer afterwards.

which era are you in East Point?!..lol

OMG ,yes forgot that...All trolleys were set up from scratch,lots of little gallipots and kidney dishes and you had to hand everything to the doctor in the right order...

I was nursing from 1964 to 1974.