Owner: maccasenior URL:http://stvincentsdarlinghurstmalenurses.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 05:31:35 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: History of a Male nurse trained at St Vincent's Hospital Darlinghurst in the days of hospital based general nurse training. Site statistics:Click here
Five Star Generals 2007-08-26 21:58:00 John Mulligan photograph collection - Several nurses manning a fire hose during a fire drill outside St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, 10 September, 1963 - picture # 24474361 - Permission granted by "National Library of Australia".The legends of St Vincent’s Hospital in the late 70’s were the two so called, “Matrons” of night shift. Everyone knew Sister C of the general nursing wards and Sister S of the Cameron wing wards.One with flaming red hair and the other short in stature both held the reins of this charging horse called St Vincent’s, never loosing grip and always in total control. They led their charges, as the Generals
did during World War Two.It did not matter whether you were placed very low or very high on the food chain; you respected both equally and stood to attention in their presence. Now, do not get me wrong. They may have been as hard as nails but they had a tender side that touched many hearts, especially those of junior nurses.Being placed in the lower perc
Tall stories but true 2007-08-18 10:49:00 Permission granted by Simon Fieldhouse to publishWorking in the older sections of the hospital was to go back in time. The look, smell and the character had old world charm. The layout of the wards was from the Florence Nightingale era. The large open floor plan with the beds lined up against the walls did very little for privacy. Every cry of pain or despair could be heard throughout the ward. Every dropped bed pan could be heard for miles.Large windows and balconies gave some comfort from looking straight across to your neighbour. Ward 14 was one of these wards and one ward I will never forget.The men’s ward, overlooking Green Park, was run with efficiency and kindness. It was led by a dedicated sister who knew her patient’s and ward like the back of her hand. I still have fond memories of her as she has of me. I found this out recently at a St Vincent’s Hospital 150th anniversary function for nurses where we met up again, after almost 30 years.My memories of working in Ward 1
On the bright side of life 2007-08-11 21:36:00 St Vincent's Hospital 1918Well! Not everything I witnessed and experienced early on involved death and total destruction. Yes, it was disturbing and heart wrenching at times. But, there were many light-hearted moments during my early days at St Vincent’s, which made up for the bad times. In order to cope with both I had to learn from the people who knew best to remain on the bright side of life.What helped me adapt was to master the ways of experienced staff. I observed them dealing with the good, the bad and the ugly. I put myself in their shoes and learnt to react as they reacted, see things as they saw things, coped as they had learnt to cope.The best coping mechanism was the hospital sense of humour when confronted with unique moments. It's what you felt inside. Not a public showing of pleasure or disgust on seeing someone in discomfort due to their unusual predicament. Well, not to their faces anyway, unless the patient had a sense of humour.Someone said, “Life wasn’t mea
First look at death 2007-08-04 14:37:00 Straight out of school and into the big world of full time employment at St Vincent's Hospital. (picture - St Vincent's ward - 1922) I was just a kid who had not seen much in the way of sorrow or pain, nor experienced true grief. Well, maybe on the football field perhaps. I do remember a faint memory of getting upset when I was very young. We came home from school one day from St Charles, Ryde. My mother told us that President Kennedy had been shot and later died. We were all upset and visibily shaken. Even I, at my age had heard about him, but why was I upset? Perhaps because my mother was crying due to the fact a great man had gone.Even when my grandfather died, I did not react the way I should have. Did I become visibly upset and distressed? No, I did not, but I should have. Perhaps working at St John of God hardened me or perhaps I just refused to believe that something bad had just happened. My way of coping or shielding myself from hurt maybe, who knows.My first encounters wit Read more:First
, death
You live and learn 2007-08-01 15:09:00 So maybe I was not as old as this picture (St Vincent's Hospital 1905 thereabouts) but I was willing and eager to learn
. There was plenty of time up my sleeve to show people, even though I might not know what I was doing, that I could at least look like I knew what I was doing.After a week or two with my mentor they let me loose without supervision. Scary stuff but life goes on. I would go about doing my duties such as moving patients about, running blood up to pathology, collecting full urine bottles and smelly bed pans from patients, cleaning the pan room, handing out meals, helping the nurses make beds and wash patients, help with the 4th hourly back care on patients, doing full body shaves on patients undergoing heart surgery (as long as you did the right patient) and on occasions take a trip to the morgue.It was great, unpleasent at times, but character building.The weeks and months were full of highlights and lowlights. People began to recognize me, started to trust me and even
Early days in the wards 2007-07-18 16:54:00 Working as a wardsman before I started nursing gave me a good insight into what I would have to experience during my 3 years of training. I was lucky in the beginning as I had a mentor that showed me around the wards. He was a giant of a man, a good teacher and always remained calm during stressful times. Especially whilst working in accident and emergency. This is where, in the first time of my life, I observed the pain and suffering of others like nothing I had seen before. The sight and smell of blood, urine, alcohol, maggots, faeces, vomit, sweat, people in pain with horrific injuries, people sitting calmly with their problems, people carrying on like pork chops, it was overwhelming. The hospital wards were a bit like this, but not to the extent of accident and emergency.My mentor and other hospital staff took it in their stride. No panic, just their usual good humor and tolerance of all good things and bad! For me, my mentor had to sit me down on one of my early visits. Why? Ever Read more:Early
Biding my time at St Vincent's 2007-06-17 17:44:00 Before I could start PTS (Preliminary Training School) in 1975 I had to earn some sought of living. So I got a job as a wardsman at St Vincent
's. This is where I got a good insight into what I would have to experience during my training. In both sight and sound this was a bit of a shock to the system. I had been somewhat protected from all of this prior to gaining full time employment. Witnessing other people's elevated mood swings, blood and guts and the smell of it all! But I can not say I was not totally unprepared, for what I experienced there reminded me of my football (rugby league) and schooling days at Marist Brothers Pagewood. The both had something in common.2 weeks after I started as a wardsman my first pay check came in. It was time to start spending it. At the time I was living at home so I did not have many overheads. It did not take long to find out that I had to budget. You can buy all the latest records, cloths and hang out with your mates at the pub after cricket e
Nursing Background 2007-05-31 17:33:00 Prior to nursing I attended a particular school, Marist Brothers Dundas. It would have been in the late 1960's. I was sitting in class quite bored and so I started to stare at the wall next to me. On this wall was a poster advertising volunteer work required at St John of God Hospital, Grose Vale Rd, North Richmond. (see picture below) Well I pondered for sometime and shortly afterwards, with the help of my parents, I contacted them to see if I could assist.I started working there when I was about 13 years of age. It was a beautiful old place out in the bush. The patients were from the rich and famous. The others, also famous in their own way, where retired brothers. priests, bishops etc, I think you get the drift. I worked there for many years and quite often during school holidays or on weekends. My father would drive me up and drop me off, all the way from Ryde. The picture is where the brothers lived. The accommodation was basic and comfortable. The brothers looked after me quite Read more:Nursing
Male Nurses 2007-05-30 12:41:00 Male nurses trained at St Vincent's Hospital Darlinghurst, Sydney Australia where are you? I trained at St Vincent's Hospital (see above) Darlinghurst during the 1970's. Being a catholic hospital and for its time male nurses were a rare commodity. I was the third to go through. The first male nurse (Garry) finished his training in 1975. Stephen finished shortly afterwards, followed by me. It was a bit of a shock for me to end up in a class of about 30 girls as I was the only bloke. Prior to this I had spent the last decade in a all boys school at Marist Brothers Pagewood.Anyway, 2007 is St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst 150th anniversary. For the first time in a 150 years a male nurse that trained at this hospital attended one of their functions. Guess who, Me! I was presented with a bottle of wine (not holy wine) for my troubles. My Graduation Photo - I seem to be the only guy! The purpose of this blog is for me to try and find all the male nurses that trained at St Vincent's H
General Off-Topic Discussion 2007-09-27 02:35:00 I gave this post the title, “General
Off-Topic Discussion
”, as I have been asked by a few to give more detail about my experiences in and outside of St Vincent’s and to give my opinion on other issues. I will attempt to do that within this post.If you have a question, please feel free to make a comment. I will answer all questions the best I can, honestly, but without any guarantee that you will like the answer. Now! It’s coming up to six months since I started this blog and my endeavour to attract any nurse that trained at St Vincent’s Hospital Darlinghurst in the days of hospital based training, have proved negative, although it has been fun trying.It’s early days and I have not given up. Far from it! I have plenty of war stories left in me to fill a book.This blog was started as a result of attending the 150th anniversary of St Vincent’s Hospital earlier this year (2007) with my wife, who also trained there as a nurse.To date, I have outlined in this blog, from the tim
Food for thought 2007-09-21 17:41:00 During the late 70’s what did the employees of St Vincent’s Hospital eat?Well! I can tell you we didn’t eat our young, as I’ve seen in some stories. But some of it did closely resemble afterbirth.At St Vincent’s you didn’t have much to choose from except for the hospital cafeteria, Harry’s chew and spew restaurant up the road and the local pizza shops. John Mulligan photograph collection - St Vincent's Hospital nurses discard veils, 26 September, 1967 - picture # 24381327 Permission granted by "National Library of Australia".The cafeteria never impressed me, as you had to pass the morgue on the way. Smoker’s alley was conveniently accessed via the front and rear entrances of this great rumour mill.Off topic a bit, but you were even allowed to smoke a pipe in the operating theatre meal room! How’s that! Yes, I hear you; it’s bad for your health. Been there, done that! But, in the 70’s I can’t remember one advertisement against smoking.The things you did worry a Read more:thought
Different strokes for different folks 2007-09-14 23:09:00 Why do people with the same complaint react to pain differently?Were all made of flesh and blood, so why the different airs?What is it that makes one person cry and the other not?I’ve seen a lot but I’m not on top.Nurse caring for a boy at St Vincent's - 1935PICMAN Database - State Library of New South WalesYou break your leg, that’s why it hurts! Why not cry in pain?Your spleen is split, that’s why it hurts! Why not show the pain?Your face is torn, that’s why it hurts! Why hide the pain?Levels of pain are the same, but not all appear the same.Does our breeding dictate our ways?Does our cut of cloth hide the truth?Don’t be fooled, pain is pain, is it not?I propose that it’s not!Lying there charmed and blessed.If not that, distorted and distressed.It breaks my heart to watch and learn.It breaks my heart not to calm.Not all is solved when they come around.Not all is said when pain comes around.Not all are proud to be seen like this.I did my best to help you then.It’s our Read more:folks
Communication 2007-09-11 01:29:00 Communication with the opposite sex was a hurdle, one had to overcome. Having spent the last 13 years in a catholic run organisation, run by men, with the occasional sighting of the opposite sex in the tuckshop, it left very little scope for a true experience with one of God’s true masterpieces.I hear you say, “this boy of little experience” and I agree with you. It was one of my shortcomings but I was ready to tackle the problem head on. Well! I had no choice did I? The choices were to sink or swim. I decided to swim, but mostly it was against the current. It involved years of blushing, an untold number of broken and stumbling verbal exchanges with these wonderful creatures of the universe. The exchanges were not as excruciating when speaking to them on a professional basis. But once in the cafeteria or in the lift, it was a different matter.My best defence in the cafeteria was to read the newspaper held head high. Taking cover this way saved me from any face-to-face contact. In
Alternative lifestyles 2007-09-04 19:04:00 Understanding alternative lifestyles came easy to me working at St Vincent’s. It may have had something to do with my catholic upbringing. Perhaps it was a tolerance of others that I gained as a result of enduring those long years at schools that catered for boys only.But in the same breath, I was sailing through unknown territories, raising a number of issues I had to come to terms with. I was apprehensive at first but in the end there was nothing to fear.Dr Harry Windsor talking to nurses at St Vincent's Hospital 1968 - Courtesy of The Herald & Weekly Times LtdMy observations were of people, who had differences, could work well together regardless of their beliefs and background. Better than anything I had seen at school.I was never shown any open animosity or intolerance because I was straight. But having said that, why would I expect any flack?As I was just out of school, I was still carrying the scar created by the “me against them” attitude. If you were good at sports, Read more:Alternative
A change of heart 2007-09-30 20:42:00 I started working at St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst for the sole purpose of obtaining the General Nurses Certificate to enter the nursing order of the St John of God.Having worked at St Vincent’s with the opposite sex for sometime I came to the realisation that becoming a registered nurse is all I really wanted. Being a religious brother would have to be taken off the agenda. St Vincent's nurses march down Sydney Street in 1963PICMAN Database - State Library of New South WalesThe repercussions were inevitable. I was to disappoint the brothers of St John of God, the Sister’s of Charity, especially Sister Annette and my father who had worked so hard to get me into the hospital in the first place.The reason for a change of heart came down to one thing. I chickened out! It was as simple as that; nothing more and nothing less.Thinking back now, and to be brutally honest, I was too immature and inexperienced in life, to have made a success of being a religious brother. In the end
Out of the cauldron into the fire 2007-10-09 18:39:00 Sitting here thinking of how best to describe my transition from wardsmen to male nurse, made me think of this title.I can see the similarities between the title, meaning to escape an evil predicament by leaping into another just as bad or worse, and my change in role. Even though I had enjoyed myself thus far, I still had to remind myself that the world that I was in, meant pain and suffering to others, who for the most part had come here through no choice of their own. St Vincent's Hospital "Tarmons", Potts Point, Sydney, ca 1857PICMAN Database -State Library of New South WalesFor me, having seen what most people wouldn’t have dreamt in their worst nightmare, I was to start a more hands on approach when dealing with the unfortunate that had come to St Vincent’s Hospital.The Greeks called it, “out of the smoke into the flame”. The Italians and Portuguese had the saying, “to fall from the frying pan into the coals”. Not being able to read or speak French I think their vers
Seeking the Holy Grail 2007-10-19 23:26:00 Who were my role models?Growing up during the 1970’s my top 3 role models came from Australian sports:1. Rugby League - Artie Beetson 2. Cricket - Dennis Lillee 3. Tennis – John Newcombe My education with the Marist Brothers totally evolved around these sports. As you can see there are neither rocket scientists nor Bill Gates types amongst them.Who were your role models? Permission granted to publish from the Oregon Centre for NursingDid my role models influence my career path?Sadly not, but it would have been great to have followed in their footsteps. Unfortunately becoming a big time sports star such as these three great men did not earn the big money as it does today.Did your role models influence your career?Influences on career choiceFamily:Sons try to emulate their father’s successes when choosing a career. My father was a mechanical engineer but I did not have the intelligence or interest to follow him. It would have been great to follow his path, as it took him to places Read more:Seeking
, Grail
, Holy Grail
The 1970's 2007-10-23 23:45:00 Even if you weren’t around in the 1970’s you might find this a bit of fun. For those that were around you might discover that we shared something in common.Australia and the rest of the world had many things in common during the 70's. Yes, I was much younger then and just starting off in my nursing career. My worries were few and my time was completely my own. The times for me were exciting and fun which I hope was the same for you. My 1978 Nurses Graduation Celebrations - Get a load of the clothes and hair do'sHistory has a habit of repeating itself. “What’s old is new again” and “what goes around comes around”, sums up most everything that is happening today. The Retro ways are making a comeback!This is where I need your input. I've highlighted below, six topics. Under these I've added my top five items that affected me. They were unique to the 70's.I would like to know what you found unique for this time period that affected you. I will keep adding to the list unt
Prime Minister Howard to resolve nursing shortage 2007-10-26 00:37:00 The Howard
Government announced on the 14th September 2007, that it is going to provide $170 million over five years to create 25 Australian Hospital Nursing Schools, public or private, in order to provide training facilities within the hospitals themselves for people undertaking the enrolled nurses course. Sydney Nurses unite on the Harbour Bridge 1932PICMAN Database - State Library of New South WalesThe students will immediately go into an on-the-job pracitcal training. It will be available to school students 16 years of age and onwards, who have completed year 10. Participating hospitals are expected to enter into a training arrangement with a Technical and Futher Education (TAFE) college, private provider or a university.The first three months of their training will include a wage subsidy of $500 a week, plus a tax free bonus of $2,000 after the first six months and a similar bonus of $3,000 on completion.Each student will receive a $1,500 commencement bonus, with the participating Read more:Minister
, Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd to resolve nursing shortage 2007-11-02 16:32:00 The Australian Labor Party (ALP) led by Opposition leader Kevin
Rudd, announced on the 19 October 2007, that it is going to provide $81 million to provide an additional 9,250 nurses if it wins the Federal election on the 24 November 2007.It is claimed that within five years of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) being brought into power it will aim to provide around 1,500 new graduate nurses and make available cash bonuses of $6000.00 for 7,750 trained nurses to attract them back to Australian hospitals. John Mulligan photograph collection – Paramedics unloading a patient out of an ambulance with a nurse outside St Vincent’s General Hospital’s emergency room, Sydney, 4 September, 1963 - picture # 24474349 - Permission granted by "National Library of Australia".The 5-year plan incorporates a cash bonus of $3000.00 to be given to successful applicants after 6 months and on the completion of 18 months work. $1,000 will be paid to hospitals per re-entry nurse to assist with re-training.
The sheltered life of a nursing student 2007-11-04 23:46:00 My three years of hospital based general nurse training started in August 1975 at St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst. Being one of only three male nurses, it will be my pleasure to give you an insight into the sheltered life a female nursing student.On commencing their training every female nursing student had to live within the Notre Dame nurses' home for the first three months. After this they were moved into the Xavier nurses' home for the remainder of the first 12 months.Restrictions were then removed and the option of living the remaining two years in far more luxurious accommodation offsite was given. Both homes were located within a stone’s throw of the general hospital and always under the careful eyes of the Sisters of Charity. Notre Dame Nurses' Home 1938PICMAN Database - State Library of New South WalesAccommodation for male nurses was non-existent. I didn’t complain, as I took the bad with the good. The good being that I preferred to live at home with my parents,
The Seven Wonders of the Meme 2007-11-08 04:57:00 My blogger friend Meghamathur, the creator of “Life in Black and White” has tagged me with a "meme". I’ve been asked once before, but not knowing enough about them I had to knock it back. To the person I knocked back, I again apologise. Now that I know there a lot of fun, why heck, I’ll give this one a go.So, sit back and relax while I tell you "7 things about me that you might not know". Then at the end of it, I’ll pass the bat and ball onto 7 others, in order for them to carry on with the game and pass it on to others.If you have been following my posts you wouldn’t think there was much more to say about myself. Well there is and it goes like this:I hate things that can eat me! On a recent trip to Darwin we stopped off at a Crocodile farm. I found out that the females are bigger than the males. The trip was part of an all round adventure around Australia to see family and friends. We also took in the Vineyards of Western Australia. That's another thing I can tell you, I Read more:Seven
, Wonders
To be, or not to be a nurse 2007-11-16 20:27:00 My blog to date has described how and why I became a nurse. Many a time I’ve heard people say they wanted to do nursing but chose not to. I’d love to hear from you why you would or wouldn’t consider a nursing career. Please make a choice and give a brief reason for your decision in your comment. Choice 1 I wouldn't like to be a nurse because: Choice 2 I would like to be a nurse because: I’m hoping for a really big reader response to this one so please don’t hold back. One way or another I will not be critical. To be continued...
Reflection 2007-11-14 17:10:00 Human self-reflection is a two-edged sword of which one edge is lamenting lost friends and the other, the gaining of wisdom with the passage of time. Both edges cut deep and the weapon is not picked up until late in life.So it is for me as I look back at the times I had with my friends at St Vincents. This crisis hits me hard now that I have endeavoured to write about my times at St Vincents in an attempt to find them all. My nurse's registration photo - 1978I recall the first day when everyone was entering the classroom. Letting them all go ahead of me as I followed them in. I felt like a sheep that was happily trotting off to be slaughtered.I soon discovered that the girls in my class had come from far and wide. They had different backgrounds and cultures to me. But we all had the same goal, to survive three years of training to become a registered nurse.As a distant and lonely onlooker, I made these observations of my classmates whilst sitting at the back of the class hiding. There
A letter from the heart at Christmas time 2007-11-30 07:05:00 Dear Friends and readers,It has been six months now since I started this niche blog and I’ll never regret it.In my search for you know what, I have come to discover that there is another world out there I never really knew existed. I thought I was on my Pat Malone when it came to getting my own unique message across the blogesphere, but how wrong could I have been.In the quest for my own Holy Grail I have come across so many others like me that share their thoughts and images to others that are completely unknown to them in order to get their message across.What would you say to all of this? To me it shows that an individual, no matter what their lot in life or how small they feel, all share a common goal - to be heard amongst the countless millions of others that have a story to share and tell on this fragile place called mother earth.It also reminds me that helping others in times of trouble, especially when it comes to missing members of family, is of utmost importance.My friend M Read more:Christmas
Patient Care Satisfaction Questionnaire 2007-11-24 19:14:00 My previous post asked readers why they would or would not consider a nursing career. For those that read it, comment or not, I'd like to thank you very much. I was blown away with the response. I'm now going to ask you what you liked or disliked about the care you were given during your stay in hospital. Both posts will attempt to give an insight into nursing and patient care within the hospital system. Please make a choice and give a brief reason for your decision in your comment. What did you like about the care you were given?What did you dislike about the care you were given?I'm hoping for a really big response to this one as well. I know I'm pushing my luck here but I would really like to know how you went. To be continued... Read more:Satisfaction
Proudest Moment of My Life 2007-12-05 01:39:00 Anna from My Only Photo has tagged me with the question “What is the Proudest Moment
of My Life”. The first thing I said to myself when I discovered I had been tagged was “Oh, my God”. The mere mention of the words “meme” or “tagging” is enough to send shivers up and down my backbone. I was going to say that the words give me the feeling that someone had walked over my grave, but I think that’s going over the top. Don’t you think? However, after sighting Anna’s name to the tagging I quickly recovered my composure. Anna has been my constant companion on the blogesphere since I started blogging and is always around to support me and give enthusiastic comment to my articles for which I will be eternally grateful. The least I can do is to take up this challenge as a sign of respect for her great character and her willingness to help others like me. As soon as I saw the question, only one thought came into my head –
I Am Me 2007-12-14 16:06:00 My secret was partially revealed in the "Three Stages of a Man's Life". It was a warm-hearted story that expressed my views that I've held to myself for sometime. It did not take long to create as it flowed from the heart. Not wanting to spoil the first, I will now expose the last instalment that flows from the first and from the heart.The routes taken by a boy in his journey to becoming a man are many and varied. We start off in life nothing more than a cell. We develop over time, conditioned by events that make us or break us. During the early years we act like a sponge and take in what we learn from our fathers; hoping one day we'd be alike."Is it bad to be out of the same mold?"Then one day a cataclysmic event, like a bolt from the blue, strikes us for better or worse. Testosterone and the wanting for our own independence kicks in. We are seen as rebellious by the ones that wish us to remain as we were. Have they forgotten, what it was like to be young? This event is
Three Stages of a Man's Life 2007-12-09 21:10:00 My new acquaintance Janet, the creator of "Life In Westcliffe", having read "Proudest Moment of My Life" hinted that I use my next post to point to a quote mentioned there. I'm always open to new ideas for a story line that encompasses my life's journey, so I've gone ahead with it. Thank you to the unknown author and Janet for the great idea.To remind you of the quote that best describes man's journey from child to fatherhood, it goes like this:"There are three stages of a man's life: He believes in Santa Claus, he doesn't believe in Santa Claus, he is Santa Claus"First off, I do believe in Santa Claus and that Christmas is a time for giving.Do you believe in Santa Claus?My childhood memories of Christmas were all very special events. My parents fostered my belief in Santa Claus. Enhancing him even further by making Christmas a truly special event for all of us. The gifts we received were greeted with welcoming arms and wild cheers. Mum and Dad enjoyed watching our fac Read more:Three
, Stages
Fallen and Forgotten 2007-12-21 03:42:00 I was in the middle of writing this post when I received a surprise request from my blogging friend "The Muse", the author of "Inspired day by day". Never wanting to disappoint I have combined the two. Within my story are links to seven sites that I hope you'll visit after reading. I'd also like to bring to your attention a fabulous site that I've just discovered called "Family Matters" by Gina Stepp.The links will reveal "seven facts" that I care about. So please read on and if you're mentioned in the links please visit "The Muse" to learn more about the request that I've taken on.My story is not unique as many share it. But please be warned, it's not a happy one."Imagine walking down a dimly lit hallway. The musty smell and dark confines make you stop. You look around and sniff the air. Pictures of children and friends line the walls. They look as if they were from long ago. You surmise that this was once a family home.Peeling paint, dust covered furnitu Read more:Fallen
, Forgotten
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