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The Class of '67 takes a sentimental journey through GGH (7 photos)

After 50 years much has changed at Guelph General but many happy memories of mischief and medicine remain for former student nurses

Members from the 1967 graduating class of Guelph General Hospital’s School of Nursing program took a 50th anniversary tour through their old training grounds Saturday.

“General Hospital used to have a school of nursing many years ago and that is how nurses trained to work in hospitals,” said Suzanne Bone, CEO for the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital. “Our school of nursing started in the late 1800s and went through to the mid 1970s.”

The student nurses lived in residence on the hospital grounds during the three-year program where they attended regular classes and gained practical, on-the-job experience.

“The last class of nurses graduated in 1976,” said Karen Rolland, clinical educator medicine at Guelph General Hospital (GGH). “That was before they moved the program to colleges.”

A lot has changed over the past five decades. The hospital has more than doubled in size and many of the facilities and treatments have evolved to keep pace with medical advancements.

“The nursing stations were much smaller back then,” said Lynn Walsom. “Then again, you weren’t supposed to be in them. You were supposed to be tending to your patients.”

Hospital protocol has changed as well. Nurses in the 60s were instructed to practice their best manners especially around doctors and one of the formalities required them to let doctors be the first to enter and exit an elevator.

“We weren’t allowed to call each other by our first names,” said Linda McLaughlin. “It was considered unprofessional so we had nicknames for each other.”

The rules were strict and they worked hard when they were on duty but during their spare time they liked to let loose and got up to all kinds of mischief.

“Having a good sense of humour was the best way to cope,” said Milly Bhattacharyya

Much of the fun took place in the student residence and a highlight of the tour was a visit to the storied tunnel linking the hospital to the nurse’s residence next door at 73 Delhi St.

The walk through the tunnel brought back many happy and humorous memories for the women. At one point they broke into a spontaneous rendition of the drinking song Show Me the Way to Go Home.

“Back then we got a stipend of $9.27 a month,” said McLaughlin. “Of course your room and board was covered but we had classes to attend and we worked hard.”

They had a reputation for being the best residence in the province. Each student had a private room with a sink but shared a common washroom on each floor. A lot of their leisure time was spent watching television in the assembly hall or hanging out in the hallways.

“I remember when we all gathered in the hallway and pierced each other’s ears,” said Donna McCallum. “We used a needle, an orange and an ice cube.”

Many of the 26 graduates from the Class of 67 went on to work for hospitals across the country. Three have passed away and all are retired now.

The most recent retiree, Dianne Hawes, went to St. Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener after graduation. She worked there for 11 years before transferring back to GGH where she spent 36 years working as a pediatric nurse. Her return to the pediatric ward was a pleasant surprise for the staff on duty and they greeted her with hugs and smiles.

“At first I wasn’t too thrilled about coming back for a tour of the hospital,” said Walsom. “But, it has been great getting back together and remembering all the fun we had.”


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Troy Bridgeman

About the Author: Troy Bridgeman

Troy Bridgeman is a multi-media journalist that has lived and worked in the Guelph community his whole life. He has covered news and events in the city for more than two decades.
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