NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s Abstract Jill McKnight Recorded: 13 SEP 2013 File: 1 of 6 Interviewer: Debbie Dunsford Abstracter: Debbie Dunsford Equipment type: Fostex FR-2LE Digital Recorder Photo 1 Photo 1: Jill McKnight, 13 September 2013. Photographed by Debbie Dunsford. 000'05" INTRODUCTION & PARENTS JILL YVONNE (nee MERRIN) McKNIGHT. Born 1 October 1947 in NELSON. Father, WALTER HUIA MERRIN, born in CHRISTCHURCH. Trained as RADIO TECHNICIAN and worked in MERCHANT NAVY including during WORLD WAR 2. After WORLD WAR 2, did an ADULT APPRENTICESHIP as a CARPENTER. Refers BEGGS. Describes FATHER'S WORKING LIFE. Attended HIGH SCHOOL. Mother [JOY MAUD GOWIN KOINA, born 26 September 1914] was AUSTRALIAN and brought up on an OUTBACK STATION. Attended BOARDING SCHOOL. Trained as MIDWIFE in BRISBANE. Moved to NZ. Trained as GENERAL NURSE in WELLINGTON. Worked at WESTPORT HOSPITAL. Parents married and settled in NELSON. 005'23" FAMILY Two sisters and one much young brother, ELTON. Refers TE RANGI COTTAGE HOSPITAL, COLLINGWOOD STREET. Describes the girls' delight when brother born. One sister is FLIGHT ATTENDANT with QANTAS. Describes STANDARD OF LIVING of FAMILY. Very frugal but did not go without. Describes. AUSTRALIAN GRANDPARENTS expected good behaviour. 1
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NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960sAbstract
Photo 1: Jill McKnight, 13 September 2013. Photographed by Debbie Dunsford.
000'05" INTRODUCTION & PARENTSJILL YVONNE (nee MERRIN) McKNIGHT. Born 1 October 1947 in NELSON.
Father, WALTER HUIA MERRIN, born in CHRISTCHURCH. Trained as RADIO TECHNICIAN and worked in MERCHANT NAVY including during WORLD WAR 2. After WORLD WAR 2, did an ADULT APPRENTICESHIP as a CARPENTER. Refers BEGGS. Describes FATHER'S WORKING LIFE. Attended HIGH SCHOOL.
Mother [JOY MAUD GOWIN KOINA, born 26 September 1914] was AUSTRALIAN and brought up on an OUTBACK STATION. Attended BOARDING SCHOOL. Trained as MIDWIFE in BRISBANE. Moved to NZ. Trained as GENERAL NURSE in WELLINGTON. Worked at WESTPORT HOSPITAL. Parents married and settled in NELSON.
005'23" FAMILYTwo sisters and one much young brother, ELTON. Refers TE RANGI COTTAGE HOSPITAL, COLLINGWOOD STREET. Describes the girls' delight when brother born. One sister is FLIGHT ATTENDANT with QANTAS.
Describes STANDARD OF LIVING of FAMILY. Very frugal but did not go without. Describes. AUSTRALIAN GRANDPARENTS expected good behaviour.
008'55" SCHOOLAttended WAIMEA COLLEGE, a relatively new secondary school. Refers NELSON COLLEGE, RICHMOND. JILL loved the SPORTS. Did as much STUDY as she needed. Missed SCHOOL CERTIFICATE 'which was a real shock' and sat again.
010'25" DECISION TO BE A NURSE
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NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960sAbstract
Jill McKnight
Wanted to be a PHYS ED TEACHER. Repeating SCHOOL CERTIFICATE made her change her plans. Options for girls were TEACHER, OFFICE, NURSE OR SHOP. Mother insisted on her being trained for a CAREER.
Mother did not work regularly as a NURSE after MARRIAGE but continued involvement in NURSES' ORGANISATION (ASSOCIATION). Older sister worked in OFFICE of MINISTRY OF WORKS. Younger sister worked in a BANK. Mother wanted them to have work they could return to after having a family.
Other girls at school applying for NURSING and JILL decided to apply also.
013'42" INTERVIEWInterview with MATRON and ASSISTANT MATRON, NANCY SHIRTCLIFFE. 'A fearful woman'. Describes. MEDICAL EXAMINATION by DOCTOR was unexpected. Accepted for JANUARY 1965 intake. Refers NELSON HOSPITAL, NURSES' HOME. Had PART-TIME WORK in THEATRE MILKBAR so had SAVINGS. Describes. REFEREES were the MINISTER and a TEACHER.
018'46" PRELIMINARY SCHOOLFirst day very regimented. Refers rooms, classroom, UNIFORMS, VACCINATION. Describes UNIFORMS and buttons. Reimbursed for cost of shoes and stockings, once every six month. Shoes wore out. Describes changing UNIFORM when going for lunch.
About 30 nurses in PRELIMINARY CLASS. Many from RURAL NELSON, also TOWNS and further away. Some had not been accepted at other NURSING SCHOOLS. Almost all NZ EUROPEAN ETHNICITY. Some OLDER NURSES joined class after PRELIMINARY SCHOOL. Refers PSYCHIATRIC TRAINING.
Class shrank very quickly. Some did not pass PRELIM EXAMS and left. Out of 30, only 9 qualified. Describes reasons for leaving.
029'27" PRELIMINARY SCHOOL AND WARD DUTIESSpent a lot of time in CLASSROOM. Describes being taught to sponge a patient in classroom and then in practice. Refers TEMPERATURES, BLOOD PRESSURE. Describes being taught to MAKE BEDS. Describes preparation for MATRON'S ROUND, DOCTORS' ROUND. Refers ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, DISEASES, MEDICATIONS. Describes SLUICE ROOM ACTIVITIES.
037'33" PRELIMINARY SCHOOLTUTOR SISTERS were HEATHER SIGGLEKOW and BELLE HAYE. Both strict. Contrast to STAFF NURSE, MO TAKOU, a MAORI NURSE who assisted the TUTOR SISTERS.
Effective balance of THEORY and PRACTICAL in PRELIM SCHOOL. Valued being taught how to respect PATIENTS' PRIVACY.
042'28" WARD EXPERIENCERotated through MEDICAL, SURGICAL, CHILDREN'S, GERIATRIC, MATERNITY WARDS. Recalls GERIATRIC WARD well. 'In dungeon of the hospital ... big long, dormitory type ward. And anyone who had a long
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NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960sAbstract
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term condition, like MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS or MOTOR NEURONE or anything, got put there.' Describes. Refers VISITING HOURS.
Describes MEDICAL WARD JUNIOR NURSE DUTIES. 'MIDDLE NURSE' taught JUNIOR NURSE on wards. Refers MEALS, STAFF NURSE, WARD SISTER.
047'35" SHIFT STRUCTUREDescribes MORNING SHIFT DUTIES and routine. Roles of JUNIOR, MIDDLE, SENIOR NURSES. Always conscious of time. Quickly learned how to be more efficient.
AFTERNOON SHIFT had less emphasis on HYGIENE CARE. Refers ACUTE ADMISSIONS, beds disinfected after a PATIENT DISCHARGED. MIDDLE NURSES would do WOUND CARE and MEDICATIONS. JILL had concerns that did not have experience to deal with ACUTE ADMISSIONS.
Started NIGHT SHIFTS during MIDDLE YEAR. Very few staff. Describes DUTIES including PRESSURE CARE. Refers UNGVITA, PRESSURE SORES, MALIGNANCY WOUNDS, TERMINAL CARE.
061'15" NURSING HIERARCHYSENIOR NURSES cared for very ill patients, intravenous lines, regular observations. In rooms near office. SENIOR NURSE supervised other nurses, made notes, called house surgeon or supervisor.
Nearly all wards had STAFF NURSE and SISTER for morning shift. STAFF NURSE supervised work of others. SISTER 'spent a lot of time in the office'. Refers HOUSE SURGEON, MATRON'S ROUNDS, INSPECTION. Recalls how relationships developed as SISTERS got to know NURSES. They valued nurses 'that really worked, that dug in and got the work done ... having the ward looking smart and in order'. Mentions different pace of MEDICAL and SURGICAL WARDS.
HOSPITAL AIDES in CENTRAL STERILISING SUPPLY and GERIATRIC WARDS.
Refers CHILDREN'S WARD, THEATRE, PATIENTS.
Comments on RELATIONSHIPS SISTER AND MATRON and SISTER and DOCTORS.
FILE ENDS 69 minutes 29 seconds.
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000'05" CURRICULUMRostered to WARDS and SHIFTS five days a week and one day in CLASSROOM. CURRICULUM covered ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, ILLNESSES AND CONDITIONS, SURGICAL PROCEDURES AND RECOVERY, CARE, PHARMACOLOGY. TEACHING by TUTOR SISTER and invited speakers.
Learned on WARD. Theory in class but on ward learned about what could go wrong and what to do when it did. TUTOR SISTER visited students in wards. Learned a lot from colleagues.
004'27" COMMUNITY NURSINGWent out with PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE and DISTRICT NURSE. Describes how much DISTRICT NURSE work involved BATHING people in their homes. Visited SCHOOLS for VACCINATION PROGRAMMES with PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE.
Enjoyed THEATRE WORK very much.
006'50" PROPOSED CHANGES IN NURSE TRAININGRecalls hearing talk of possible changes but she and colleagues thought it ridiculous. Clear that nurses needed to be learning on the wards.
007'28" EXAMSHOSPITAL EXAMS six monthly and had to pass. STATE FINAL EXAM at end of third year. Extra tuition and STUDY before EXAMS. JILL determined not to fail an EXAM.
HOSPITAL EXAM RESULTS. Some CELEBRATION. Hard to socialise at times because everyone on different shifts.
012'00" PATIENTS AND CONDITIONSMEDICAL PATIENTS included BRAIN INJURIES from CAR ACCIDENTS, MULTIPLE SCLEROIS, MOTOR NEURONE (DISEASE), ASTHMA, family of HAEMOPHILIACS, CARDIAC, STROKES. Many in and out of hospital a lot or there for a long time. Describes. Refers PHYSIOTHERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, SPEECH LANGUAGE THERAPY, REHABILITATION.
SURGICAL PATIENTS would be 'anything and everything'. Refers VARICOSE VEINS, HERNIAS, TONSILECTOMIES, FRACTURES. A lot of SURGERY today is repairing surgery done in the past. No HEART SURGERY in NELSON. Refers DIGOXIN. A lot of CANCER PATIENTS in hospital for SURGERY or in hospital to die. Refers BREAST CANCER, FUNGATING TUMOURS. Describes nursing CANCER PATIENTS. DEATH on wards common. No INTENSIVE CARE.
Recalls an AMERICAN WOMAN with MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS in GERIATRIC
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WARD, one mother in MATERNITY WARD.
019'45" DEATH AND EMOTIONAL RESPONSESMORPHINE or PETHIDINE used. Reflects on limitations of PAIN RELIEF. Recalls caution about giving DRUGS. Reflects on personal reaction to PATIENT DEATHS.
Many long conversations with colleagues in NURSES' HOME. Dealing with DEATH not part of CURRICULUM.
023'55" CHANGES IN TREATMENTS AND EQUIPMENTSome change in MEDICATIONS does not recall any major changes. Changes in MATERNITY driven by PATIENTS rather than MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS. Women wanted to go home earlier.
Disposable dressings starting to come in. Plastic syringes but glass for INSULIN. High-low beds starting to come into GERIATRIC WARDS first.
027'33" NURSES' HOME'I had shared a room at home with my two sisters, so having my own room was a thrill.' Describes BEDROOM, COMMUNAL BATHROOM. Moved higher up NURSES' HOME as more senior.
STAFF NURSES and SISTERS lived in NURSES' HOME. MATRON had a small flat. SUPERVISOR at reception desk was 'like the Police'. She knew everything about everyone. Her role was to make sure nurses were safe.
Nurses sat in LOUNGE after their DUTY.
032'10" DINING ROOMGeneral DINING ROOM was 'enormous'. Served three meals a day. Describes. Special tables reserved for senior staff.
Describes BREAKFAST. Recalls expectation of going on duty early and leaving late.
036'45" LAUNDRYUNIFORMS and LINEN laundered for them. Describes. Washed own personal clothing.
038'35" NURSES' HOME SUPERVISORDescribes role.
039'37" CURFEWCURFEW was 10pm. Allowed two 11 o'clock passes a week. Signed in and out of NURSES' HOME. Describes going out. Refers PICTURES, CHEZ ELCO, COFFEE.
Recounts climbing in fire escape window when late. Describes.
043'05" VISITORSMet VISITORS in LOUNGE by SUPERVISOR'S desk. Not allowed past foyer. Thinks some were reprimanded for breaking this rule.
Visited PARENTS perhaps once a fortnight. Refers TRANSPORT,
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TELEPHONES.
045'32" STUDYING IN NURSES' HOMEDescribes difficulties.
047'10" FRIENDSHIPSFormed small groups of FRIENDS but socialised amongst whole group. Refers SWIMMING POOL, DANCES, PICTURES. Some strong CHRISTIANS did not mix as much with larger group. Older nurse who had done PSYCHIATRIC TRAINING and did not live in NURSES' HOME did not mix with others. Discusses.
050'45" RELATIONSHIP WITH SENIOR NURSESExpected JUNIOR NURSES to work hard and efficiently. 'You knew your place.' Did not develop FRIENDSHIPS with them outside the ward.
Recalls some SISTERS particularly. Recounts being surprised when a SISTER she had avoided asked her to work on her ward. Developed 'fabulous relationship'. Discusses REPUTATIONS of SISTERS.
054'15" DOCTORS' ROUNDSNurses not included in DOCTORS' ROUNDS. Any learning was second hand. One or two FEMALE DOCTORS.
055'15" MALE NURSESOne MALE STAFF NURSE. Aware that more MALE NURSES in PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL. Spent time in NGAWHATU PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL in STOKE and noticed more MALE NURSES and more NURSES who SMOKED. Refers JOHN PARKER, MEN'S MEDICAL WARD. Comments on speed of his promotion to CHARGE NURSE.
058'15" PSYCHIATRIC EXPERIENCEEach year had to spend time in PSYCHIATRIC or PSYCHOPAEDIC. Didn't seem to be NURSING to JILL. Problem of long-stay patients. Describes. Refers OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, NGAWHATU HOSPITAL, MONGOLISM.
PSYCHIATRIC NURSE in their class returned to PSYCHIATRIC as a SISTER, later moved to administration.
FILE ENDS 62 minutes 01 second.
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NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960sAbstract
000'05" SOCIAL LIFEWent out to FILM or DANCE about once a fortnight. Overnight passes also available. Refers RADIO, TELEVISION, SHOPPING. Walked into NELSON. Describes meeting others at CHEZ EELCO. 'It was the place to go.' Hard to keep up with FRIENDS outside nursing because of SHIFTS.
003'44" DANCES AND CLOTHESDances in NELSON or STOKE. Went as a group. Describes CLOTHES worn to DANCES. SEWED her dresses. Recalls a friend who was able to buy her clothes at MACKAYS in NELSON. A SEWING MACHINE at NURSES' HOME. Shared clothes.
Mostly BALLROOM DANCES, WALTZ, FOXTROT, GAY GORDONS, THE TWIST. Describes. Went to BALLS. SENIOR NURSES arranged NURSES' BALLS. Wore long dresses.
007'50" SOCIAL EVENTS WITHIN HOSPITALDoesn't recall HOSPITAL CONCERTS. SWIMMING SPORTS DAY when SWIMMING POOL opened. Some gatherings at SOCIAL HALL. Most activities were going to BEACH, FILMS, SHOPPING, 'hanging out'.
Describe CHRISTMAS. Recounts CHOIR singing CHRISTMAS CAROLS through the wards then back to NURSES' HOME for supper. Special meals.
009'50" SOCIALISING WITH DOCTORSNot personally involved with PARTIES with HOUSE SURGEONS. Some STAFF NURSES might have gone.
Recalls concerts put on by staff later when doing DISTRICT NURSING. Often involved with FUNDRAISING. An active SOCIAL CLUB at NELSON HOSPITAL had raised money for the SWIMMING POOL. HOSPITAL CHAPEL for everyone's use.
012'25" SMOKING & ALCOHOLRecalls that many people SMOKED although she did not. JILL observed that more PSYCHIATRIC STAFF smoked than GENERAL staff. Not aware of people being urged not to smoke. JILL aware SMOKING bad for ASTHMA and possible link to LUNG CANCER. Refers PATIENTS, SMOKING.
Discusses ALCOHOL use. JILL's group not interested.
017'25" FLATTINGWent FLATTING for last few months of NURSE TRAINING. TRANSPORT to and from work inconvenient. Costs of FLATTING much higher than BOARD at NURSES' HOME. Describes.
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019'52" INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPSDescribes meeting HUSBAND, [IAN MCKNIGHT]. Away in NAVY and only in NELSON on leave. Refers PHILOMEL. Some girls left training to MARRY. STAFF NURSES and HOUSE SURGEONS went out together more than STUDENT NURSES.
Not aware of any LESBIAN RELATIONSHIPS. Reflects that some SENIOR STAFF NURSES may have been in LESBIAN RELATIONSHPS.
Nurses who became PREGNANT left training. Does not recall ABORTIONS. 'People just disappeared.'
026'10" SPORT & HOLIDAYSHad a 'mix and match' NETBALL team. Played on Saturday afternoons in the city. People went to watch NETBALL, then RUGBY. Refers TENNIS. Went to TAHUNA BEACH often in summer.
JILL and a friend went to MOUNT MAUNGANUI on HOLIDAY. Refers SUNBURN, HAIR COLOUR, HAIR STYLES. Recalls instances of SICKNESS through SUNBURN. DISMISSAL often threatened.
030'25" YOUTH GROUP & CHURCH GROUPSNot involved in NURSES' CHRISTIAN GROUP.
030'58" SICKNESSDescribes being in NURSES' HOME if sick. Would be sent home if very sick. Does not recall NURSES having INJURIES through the work. Recalls friend who left to MARRY in six months. Husband going OVERSEAS. After marriage ended, friend then repeated NURSE TRAINING from beginning through POLYTECH.
034'10" COMPARISON TO OTHER WOMEN'S WORKNegative comparisons between standard working day and inconvenience of NURSES' ROSTER. Describes positive thoughts also.
035'46" NURSES' ASSOCIATIONSDid not join STUDENT NURSES' ASSOCIATION. 'Just meetings'. Describes activities. Not aware of NZ REGISTERED NURSES' ASSOCIATION while a student. Was a member of the HOSPITAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION and paid subscription to cover being unable to earn if sick.
038'10" PAYAccepted the PAY and did not compare to other jobs. Received increases when passed EXAMS. Needed to SAVE for clothes and holidays. Refers FLATTING, UNIVERSITY, ACCOUNTING, LEGAL. Advancing from STAFF NURSE to SISTER could take a long time.
041'25" FINAL EXAMS & GRADUATIONStudied hard for FINAL EXAMS. Describes. Received results in mail in AUCKLAND. Returned to NELSON for GRADUATION CEREMONY. Describes. Refers MATRON, MEDICAL OFFICER.
After EXAM, JILL left NELSON and went to AUCKLAND. Thinks 2 of 9 NURSES stayed at NELSON HOSPITAL as STAFF NURSES.
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NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960sAbstract
000'05" MARRIAGE, PART-TIME WORK, FAMILY LIFEMove to AUCKLAND and MARRIAGE. Later reflected that experience as STAFF NURSE immediately after graduating would have been beneficial as an opportunity to cement training and areas of interest.
Established HOME and two CHILDREN born. Wanted to return to work after second child. Thinks reasons were FINANCIAL. Worked NIGHT SHIFT at LADY ALLUM [GERIATRIC] HOME, MILFORD. Comments on basic care given.
Husband left NAVY and got job as SHEPHERD at TEAKOU, near RAGLAN, then on a farm at CHEVIOT, CANTERBURY. Hopes of owning a FARM disappearing so moved back to NELSON. IAN doing EXPLOSIVES WORK, then worked as DIVER on OIL RIGS. Describes.
In mid to late 1970s, family lived for two years in SINGAPORE for IAN's DIVING job. Describes. Returned to NELSON and JILL looked for work.
009'45" DISTRICT NURSING, NELSONWent to NELSON HOSPITAL. 'Here I am, looking for a job between 9 and 3, and I don't mind what I do.' Later offered DISTRICT NURSING work.
DUTIES included BATHING and HYGIENE CARE, WOUND CARE, INSULIN, CHRONIC ULCER, MALIGNANT FUNGATING WOUND DRESSINGS. Describes daily and weekly routines. Saw between 17 and 24 people in a day. Nurses rotated between areas. Describes differences.
8 to 10 nurses. EVENING SHIFT introduced for DISTRICT NURSING. Describes care for TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS. Describes RELATIONSHIP DISTRICT NURSES and GENERAL PRACTITIONERS.DISTRICT NURSES shared information and tried to improve PRACTICE. Describes being catalyst for shift away from BATHS to SHOWERS. Changes in DRESSING TECHNIQUES, recognising NEEDS of ELDERLY.
Describes UNIFORM. Enjoyed HOURS, WORK, AUTONOMY, PATIENT RELATIONSHIPS. FRIENDSHIPS and COLLEGIALITY among DISTRICT NURSES.
PARENTS looked after children in SCHOOL HOLIDAYS [CHILDCARE].
023'30" DISTRICT NURSE SUPERVISOR, NELSONDescribes changes to DISTRICT NURSE MANAGEMENT. BARBARA WHITE a great advocate for NURSES. JILL became SUPERVISOR. Enjoyed the role but challenges also. Trying to improve PRACTICE for
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NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960sAbstract
000'05" FURTHER EDUCATIONCompleted CERTIFICATE in COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING, CHRISTCHURCH POLYTEHCNIC in 1987. Discusses course and usefulness. Refers PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING, CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL NURSES' HOME. JILL felt she was brought up to date.
Started BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE in 1982. SUPERVISOR [BARBARA WHITE] advised her to get FURTHER EDUCATION if she wanted to progress her CAREER. Describes make-up of DISTRICT NURSING TEAM. HOSPITAL TRAINED NURSES not viewed as being at same level as POLYTECH NURSES coming through. Refers EXTRA-MURAL STUDY, MASSEY UNIVERSITY. Describes her approach to study and assignment routine and expenses. Attitude of family. Received four credits for her nursing qualification. Papers included PSYCHOLOGY, LAW, NURSING, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. Thinks DEGREE helped her CAREER. Discusses. Advantage of having a friend studying also.
009'50" MANAGER, CERVICAL SCREENING PROGRAMMEApplied for MANAGING DISTRICT NURSE position and did not get it. Recounts INTERVIEW PROCESS. Decided to move from DISTRICT NURSING.
Involved with local WOMEN'S COLLECTIVE. Had proposed and won funding for a local PILOT CERVICAL SCREENING PROGRAMME. Describes process of setting up and running PROGRAMME for three years. PILOTS were forerunner for NATIONAL CERVICAL SCREENING PROGRAMME.
Applied for and appointed to position of MANAGER, CERVICAL SCREENING PROGRAMME in NELSON MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT. Describes operation of programme, innovations. Refers MAORI, PACIFIC ISLAND. GENERAL PRACTITIONERS resistant to programme because a free service. Refers PRACTICE NURSES. REWARD was increase in number of women being screened.
JILL found there was not enough work for her to do and looked elsewhere. Applied for position as MANAGER, COMMUNITY HEALTH OFFICE. Refers PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES, HEALTH PROTECTION OFFICERS.
FILE ENDS 21 minutes 04 seconds.
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NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960sAbstract
000'05" MANAGER, COMMUNITY HEALTH OFFICE, NELSONDescribes interview experience of applying for SENIOR DISTRICT NURSE position and contrast to interview for COMMUNITY HEALTH MANAGER, NELSON.
Appointed COMMUNITY HEALTH MANAGER FOR CENTRAL REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY. Era when looking for new HEALTH PROVIDERS and PRIMARY CARE especially for MAORI and PACIFIC ISLAND people. Being eyes and ears of REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY in community. Developed role along the way. Advantage of knowing community already. Enjoyed role but three RESTRUCTURES. Decided all staff should be in WELLINGTON. Role in DISABILITY SERVICES but would not agree to pay extra for expenses of travel from WELLINGTON.
005'08" PRIVATE NURSING AGENCY [NELSON NURSING SERVICES LTD]A time of change in provision of community health services. Refers HOSPICE, DISTRICT NURSING. Decided to set up a PRIVATE NURSING AGENCY to provide top-up care. A struggle because not many people in NELSON prepared to pay for this care and could not do all the work herself. Describes. Employed others for CARE, JILL did NURSING WORK.
Proposal to ACC [ACCIDENT COMPENSATION CORPORATION] for SOCIAL REHABILITATION ASSESSMENTS not accepted. Describes. Refers OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS. Contracted to provide OCCUPATIONAL NURSING SERVICES to MILK COMPANY. Refers HEARING, VISION, BLOOD PRESSURE, LEGISLATION.
Running business from home. Doing more home support. Contracted to MINISTRY OF HEALTH to do HOME SUPPORT. Employed more support workers. Had pestered ACC about value of NURSES. Won contract for SOCIAL REHABILITATION ASSESSMENTS. Describes how built BUSINESS [NELSON NURSING SERVICES LTD]. Refers need for HUSBAND'S INCOME, LEARNING.
Moved office out of home to a rental property. Discusses security of contracts. Refers ACC, MINISTRY OF HEALTH. As income grew, JILL felt business was stable. Describes adjustments required for staff to transfer from HOSPITAL to COMMUNITY setting.
016'15" NELSON NURSING SERVICES PREMISESPremises insufficient for their ACC CONTRACTS. Describes MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS required for ACC CONCUSSION CLINIC and ACC CHRONIC PAIN CLINIC. Refers PHYSIO-THERAPIST, PSYCHOLOGIST, MEDICAL SPECIALIST, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSE.
Describes search for new premises and decision to build. Reflects on changes to services contracted by ACC.
NURSING SKILLS a good grounding for other CAREERS.
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022'10" CHANGES IN NURSING PRACTICEChanges in TECHNOLOGY. Discusses reduced LENGTH OF HOSPITAL STAYS and specialised STROKE REHABILITATION. Refers HIP REPLACEMENT, AMPUTATION, PAIN CONTROL.
024'00" CHANGES IN NURSING EDUCATIONHOSPITAL NURSES well trained and ready to work once graduated. Opportunities for current student nurses to gain PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE limited. Competition for positions. THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE better than HOSPITAL TRAINED NURSES.
025'45" NURSING AS A CAREERHas thought that, if had CAREER again, would have liked to be a PSYCHOLOGIST. Explains reasons. Describes concerns of some nurses that could be liable for a bad patient outcome. Explains.
Career highlight is setting up successful NELSON NURSING SERVICE. Describes.
CARING for people remains a constant in NURSING. Discusses SATISFACTIONS.
