NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
Recorded:
Interviewer:
Abstracter:
Equipment type:
27 JUN 2012
Debbie Dunsford
Debbie Dunsford
Fostex FR-2LE Digital
Recorder
File: 1 of 5
Photo 1: Grace Benson, third year
nurse training, 1958.
Photo 2: Grace Benson, 2012.
Photo 2
Photo 1
000'41"
INTRODUCTION
Full name GRACE ANNIE HIGHT BENSON. Named after two aunts GRACE
MEDLAND and ANNIE MEDLAND of GREAT BARRIER ISLAND. Reference to
mother's pride in HIGHT family (cousin SIR JAMES HIGHT, Rector of
CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY, and NURSE cousins).
002'53"
FAMILY BASED AT GREAT BARRIER ISLAND
Describes family origins on GREAT BARRIER ISLAND. THOMAS and ELIZABETH
MEDLAND first European East Coast settlers. Family were DAIRY FARMERS.
Cream sent to Auckland once a week for second grade butter. Mentions birth in
AUCKLAND, then to GREAT BARRIER ISLAND.
004'58"
CHILDHOOD AT GREAT BARRIER ISLAND
Recalls childhood on GREAT BARRIER ISLAND. Went to AUCKLAND once a year
'to go to the dentist and find ice creams'. Describes 'warm' CHILDHOOD and
family life, farm and Island life. Mentions school. [EDUCATION] Family 'very
staunch SALVATION ARMY people'. Describes farm providing food and buying
clothes from the FARMERS TRADING COMPANY catalogue. Reference to family
friend, ROBERT LAIDLAW, of FARMERS TRADING COMPANY. Reference to Aunt
GRACE M. MEDLAND's book, Great Barrier Calls.
008'20"
LIFE ON GREAT BARRIER WORLD WAR 2
Recalls family's position on GREAT BARRIER ISLAND. Met visiting dignitaries.
GREAT BARRIER ISLAND during WORLD WAR 2. Invasion fears. Family built 'a
hole in the hill'. Soldiers' camp and family hospitality. Describes.
010'09"
MOTHER'S OCCUPATION
1
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
Parents: SAMUEL MEDLAND (from Cornwall) and CATHERINE 'MURIEL' HIGHT.
Mother trained two years as NURSE at THAMES HOSPITAL. Twin sister fully
trained at THAMES HOSPITAL. Recalls mother's stories of training at THAMES
and return home to care for sick mother. Mentions love of THEATRE and OPERA.
Refers to mother helping her mother at home before MARRIAGE.
Describes mother's life and work as housewife at GREAT BARRIER ISLAND. 'Did
everything for husband and family from getting up at 5 o'clock in the morning to
put the clothes in the copper, to put the bread in the oven....' [WOMEN'S
WORK]
013'07"
CHILDHOOD AT GREAT BARRIER
CHILDREN'S WORK and chores on farm. Describes. Mentions SCHOOLING at
GREAT BARRIER.
Childhood experience of NURSES and NURSING. Mother 'known on the Barrier
to be a nurse'. Recalls story of mother assisting at plane crash at CLARIS in
1938. Childhood illnesses and accidents. Describes.
File ends 16 minutes 15 seconds.
2
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
Recorded:
Interviewer:
Abstracter:
Equipment type:
27 JUN 2012
Debbie Dunsford
Debbie Dunsford
Fostex FR-2LE Digital
Recorder
File: 2 of 5
000'18"
MOTHER'S STORIES OF NURSING
Recalls being impressed by mother's NURSING story of sick boy not allowed
fluids but just wanted 'a little tup of tea'. Recognised CARING as part of
NURSING. Mother afraid of THAMES HOSPITAL MATRON. Recounts.
003'15"
SIBLINGS
Refers GEORGE SAMUEL, CATHERINE MURIEL, WINNIE CLARA. All had name
HIGHT also. Describes relationships with siblings.
Describes adult OCCUPATIONS of siblings. Grace youngest but first to leave
GREAT BARRIER ISLAND at 18 years old.
005'07"
SECONDARY SCHOOLING
Enrolled at CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL, WELLINGTON, from Form 1.
SCHOOLING 'dissolved a bit' on GREAT BARRIER in 1940s. Disrupted by
farmwork. Describes family attitudes to EDUCATION. Mentions how school
shifted over some years.
007'39"
DESIRE TO BECOME A NURSE
Recalls desire for EDUCATION but needed on farm. 'But I always had in sight
that I was going to be a nurse'. Describes observing nursing role model, Mrs
McLEAN, first DISTRICT HEALTH NURSE at GREAT BARRIER ISLAND. Visited
homes on horseback from the other end of the Island. Always well groomed.
Another influence, Auntie ANNIE MEDLAND. Describes.
010'12"
DETERMINATION TO BE A NURSE
Anxious about her level of EDUCATION. Knew she needed 'only two years
secondary education'. Describes loving family life, religious upbringing, social
activities.
012'56"
BECOMING A NURSE
Describes desire for EDUCATION but difficult balance FARMWORK and
CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL.
Parents supported her going nursing but concerned about her leaving home.
Describes the EDUCATION and work of her cousins. Gap of two years between
CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL and going nursing.
016'15"
APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW
Mother set up interview with Miss (JESSIE) KIRKNESS, MATRON-IN-CHIEF,
AUCKLAND. Recalls social and other activities on GREAT BARRIER ISLAND
before leaving for NURSE TRAINING. Refers BIBLE IN SCHOOLS, SUNDAY
SCHOOL, MUSIC.
Impressed by a WEEKLY NEWS glossy page of NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL.
Showed nurses doing lots of things 'and in uniform and looking amazing. And I
wanted to be like that'.
3
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
018'31"
INTERVIEW
Mentions travel to ARDMORE AIRPORT, AUCKLAND in FOX MOTH plane and
places to stay in AUCKLAND. NURSES' HOME seen as safe.
'I think my mother ran the interview'. MATRON-IN-CHIEF, MISS KIRKNESS, very
formal, pleasant. Seemed to know mother's nurse cousins at TIMARU.
Describes interview and her feelings.
No recall medical examination or getting references.
024'10"
NURSES' HOME
Recalls leaving GREAT BARRIER ISLAND for PRELIM(INARY) SCHOOL. Left
TRYPHENA wharf on vessel COROMEL. Recalls homesickness. Describes
NURSES' HOME and her room (32 women in her year). Strict, quite formal but
very exciting. 'A lot of busyness' on the first day. Refers to friends, AUDREY
MITCHELL from MATAMATA, TUI MAXWELL.
028'53"
STUDENT PLACEMENT AT AUCKLAND HOSPITALS
Enrolled at AUCKLAND SCHOOL OF NURSING. Describes being 'placed' early on,
'told ... no choice', going to MIDDLEMORE for ward experience. Monday to
Friday with tutor sisters in PRELIM, then Saturdays to MIDDLEMORE. Reflects
that those sent to MIDDLEMORE were more likely to be from country, further
from friends and family.
Base hospitals were AUCKLAND, GREEN LANE and MIDDLEMORE. Doesn't recall
PACIFIC nurses. Describes her special friends, AUDREY MITCHELL, DAPHNE
LAWSON, FAY ?, MERLE BLACKBURN.
031'04"
PRELIMINARY SCHOOL
Describes PRELIM SCHOOL lessons including ANATOMY and PHYSIOLOGY,
NURSING HYGIENE and practical skills, size of class, anxiety about formal
classroom skills. Nursing history seemed boring. Reflects she learnt teaching
'needs to be memorable and the student needs to be involved'. Describes being
shocked at photos of reproductive system.
Describes practical 'Ward-likes' at PRELIM. 'In fact, we used to go back at
nights, Audrey and I, to make more beds, to get them perfect and make them in
three minutes....'
034'10"
UNIFORM AND PRELIM SCHOOL
Describes two UNIFORMS and when worn. Strict rules.
Describes lessons at PRELIM. TUTOR SISTER possibly called SISTER MCALEER.
Describes SISTER SAKER who was in charge of PRELIM and a role model.
037'32"
ON WARDS AT MIDDLEMORE
Describes typical day on her first ward (ORTHOPAEDIC). Importance of Matron's
visit, routine and rules. Hard work, responsibility to do job properly. Describes
HIERARCHY 'a class system of who you talked to'. Explains making divided beds
for patients in traction and emphasis on bed looking right rather than patient
comfort. [DUTIES]
046'48"
NON-PATIENT WORK
Recalls CLEANING work. Recalls lack of emphasis on talking to patients. If she
4
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
sat down to talk to a patient, she would have been told 'haven't you got
anything better to do, nurse?' Describes MIDDLEMORE's position as a 'B' grade
base training school of AUCKLAND SCHOOL OF NURSING, going 'on tour' to
other hospitals. 1956 was last year of old CURRICULUM which did not include
MATERNITY TRAINING.
050'08"
SHIFT STRUCTURE
Describes duties and responsibilities of each SHIFT including divided shifts.
Describes anxiety about nursing 'very sick people'. Dealing with DEATH of
patients. FEAR of speaking to some charge nurses.
057'03"
ROLES OF NURSES AT EACH LEVEL
Describes transition through each year and work done. JUNIOR STATE EXAM
Describes greater role of patient care/supervising students as REGISTERED
NURSE in Ward 4 at MIDDLEMORE. Refers Sister GRANDISON, Miss BARKER
(assistant-matron), Miss CLELAND (matron). Mentions encouraging a PINKIE
(NURSE AIDES trained at CORNWALL HOSPITAL) to become a trained nurse.
061'04"
ROLE OF NURSES CONTD
Reflects on COLLEAGUESHIP between levels. Describes friendship MISS BARKER
and SISTER GRANDISON. Describes role of WARD SISTERS. Describes
awareness of hospital housekeeping, use of linen. Describes assistance of
NURSE AIDES (training at CORNWALL HOSPITAL). Recalls no COMMUNITY
TRAINING.
064'25"
ROLE OF DOCTORS
Describes doctors at MIDDLEMORE and attitudes towards them. Mentions Mr
MANCHESTER, the plastic surgeon of Ward One, and SISTER WILLIAMS. Refers
ORTHOPAEDICS, PLASTIC SURGERY, DENTAL UNIT, Mr ROSS NICHOLSON,
SISTER JOAN BENSON, OTARA SPINAL UNIT. Describes strong working
relationships between some doctors and charge nurses.
ENDS 68'24"
5
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
Recorded:
Interviewer:
Abstracter:
Equipment type:
29 JUN 2012
Debbie Dunsford
Debbie Dunsford
Fostex FR-2LE Digital
Recorder
File: 3 of 5
000'01"
TRAINING ORGANISATION
Describes lectures and classes at PRELIM SCHOOL. TUTOR SISTERS, some
doctors' lectures. Not encouraged to ask questions.
007'01"
BALANCE BETWEEN STUDY AND WARD WORK
Describes travel to AUCKLAND HOSPITAL for STUDY DAYS, fitting in study
around work. Recalls keeping up because very keen. Study covered specialties:
infectious diseases, diseases of women, eye, ear, nose & throat, internal
diseases, children.
SHORT PAUSE WHILE PHONE CHECKED
010'26"
REFLECTIONS ON TRAINING ORGANISATION
Describes relationship of STUDY to ward work and being 'on tour' for different
experience. Reflects on perceptions of which hospital gave best training.
012'50"
LOYALTY TO MIDDLEMORE
Describes student loyalty to MIDDLEMORE HOSPITAL [HOSPITAL HIERARCHY].
Put down by other students as if the 'country cousins'. Relates saying 'Green
Lane students are social conscious, Auckland students were study conscious and
Middlemore students were unconscious'.
015'05"
MOST VALUE TO LEARNING
Lack of community experience in training. Mentions realising need for NURSING
THEORY. Reflects on instinctive caring by nurses for patients rather than being
taught. Recounts story of small boy dying of bone cancer.
018'38"
NURSING CURRICULUM
Mentions changes in nursing CURRICULUM [MATERNITY TRAINING] but
unaware of criticisms. Very practical training. AUCKLAND HOSPITAL BOARD
incentives for staff to stay including medal [STAFF RETENTION]. Recounts use
of her PRELIM class photo in a recruitment poster (Grace in second row).
021'13"
EXAMS
JUNIOR STATE EXAM end of first year. Describes study, anxiety, social life,
support of friends. [OTAHUHU BAPTIST CHURCH YOUNG PEOPLE]. 'My first
work was to be a nurse, always.'
Describes preparation for EXAMS. Refers SENIOR STATE EXAM.
026'35"
CELEBRATION & COMMITMENT TO STUDIES
Describes social activities with OTAHUHU BAPTIST CHURCH group. No
ALCOHOL. Beach visits. Friend AUDREY MITCHELL had a car which was unusual.
In first year went for trip to ROTORUA together.
Describes MIDDLEMORE's NURSES' CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP and her FAITH at
time. Quotes Nurse's Prayer. Reflects that the Prayer brought together the
6
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
practicalities of nursing and theory as a personal baseline for her. Uncommon
for nurses to seek a theory of nursing at the time.
031'40"
PATIENTS, TREATMENT AND TECHNOLOGY
Describes types of ward and nursing experience at MIDDLEMORE. Describes
fainting in horror at a LUMBAR PUNCTURE procedure. Describes OPERATING
THEATRE experience 'very scary and very regimented but amazing'.
036'42"
PATIENTS TREATMENTS CONTINUED
Recalls 'specialing' an agitated patient who threatened her. Felt unprepared to
deal with it. Mentions PLASTIC SURGERY and MIDDLEMORE's specialties.
040'50"
EMOTIONAL ASPECTS
Recalls coping personally with DEATH or talked to other nurses off duty. 'If I
had to cry, I remember going into the linen room or the sluice room and you
could have a cry by the sterilisers because it was steamed up anyway.'
045'07"
TREATMENTS & EQUIPMENT
Describes common drug for older people (DIGOXIN from digitalis plant) that
could be dangerous and required extra nursing care. Cites associated
mnemonic. Predominantly men with heart problems in MEDICAL WARD.
Describes use of enema cans and bulky intravenous fluid equipment.
049'00"
WEIGHTS AND LIFTING
Describes lifting, problem of fixed beds, use of pillows and bed as piece of
equipment. 'It was satisfying to make a person comfortable.' Agrees some
nurses would have left nursing due to back problems. Refers LAMINECTOMY.
053'15"
NURSES' HOME
'Very regimented military HOME SISTER.' Possibly SISTER GOUDIE. Describes
aspects of NURSES' HOME life. Sleep, room inspection. Some nurses came in
after 10pm. Recalls loving baths. 'Get rid of aching bodies because they were
aching. Our feet were sore, our bodies were aching most of the time'.
Awareness of MIDDLEMORE work being heavier than elsewhere. Separate
rooms 'our haven'. Recalls sharing and FRIENDSHIPS.
057'20"
DINING ROOM AND MEALS
Describes dining room and FOOD. 'Typical and common was marble - mashed
potato, marble carrot and parsnip, stewed up cabbage really white and corned
beef - a good meal!'
061'00"
UNIFORMS
Describes pale blue dress and white ward UNIFORMS and changes as
progressed. Twin buttons on a shank. 'We always had to make time for
buttoning'. Describes LAUNDRY process. Talks about GROOMING. Looking smart
'valued'.
064'14"
VISITORS
RULES around visitors to NURSES' HOME.
FILE 3 ENDS 65 minutes 06 seconds
7
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
Recorded:
Interviewer:
Abstracter:
Equipment type:
29 JUN 2012
Debbie Dunsford
Debbie Dunsford
Fostex FR-2LE Digital
Recorder
File: 4 of 5
003'27"
CHRISTMAS AT THE HOSPITAL
CHRISTMAS 'a beautiful time' in hospitals. Describes.
006'05"
HOMESICKNESS
Recalls coping with HOMESICKNESS. Recalls trips home to GREAT BARRIER
ISLAND. FREDDIE LADD ran a GRUMMAN WIDGEON seaplane service and
landed on MEDLANDS BEACH. Visited family at MILFORD and friends in MT
ALBERT.
008'06"
SENIOR NURSES ON WARDS
Describes relationship to and teaching role of SENIOR NURSES on wards. Some
more able than others.
011'00"
WARD HIERARCHY
Describes ward HIERARCHY with similar structure throughout the AUCKLAND
HOSPITAL BOARD. STUDENT NURSES able to speak to STAFF NURSES, but not
usually to CHARGE NURSES or DOCTORS until later. Recounts story of
HIERARCHY during mother's training at THAMES HOSPITAL. Mentions DR ROY
LANGE (father of DAVID LANGE, New Zealand Prime Minister in the 1980s).
Grace won the DR AND MRS LANGE PRIZE at her graduation (Highest marks in
State Examination for MIDDLEMORE Nurses).
014'55"
DOCTORS' ROUNDS & WARD WORK
Describes getting ready for DOCTORS' ROUNDS and preparation of patients for
surgery.
016'58"
MALE NURSES
Doesn't recall any MALE TRAINEE NURSES at MIDDLEMORE. There were
ORDERLIES.
018'12"
SOCIAL LIFE & BOYFRIEND
Describes days off with FRIENDS. Refers SHOPPING, OTAHUHU, QUEEN
STREET, FARMERS TRADING COMPANY, MEALS. Went to BEACH in friend's
[AUDREY MITCHELL] car. OTAHUHU BAPTIST CHURCH group. BOYFRIEND
[ALAN BENSON]. CHARGE NURSE [JOAN BENSON]. Mentions BOYFRIENDS and
MARRIAGE straight after training.
022'00"
FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Describes FRIENDSHIPS and COLLEAGUESHIP, encouragement of PINKIES who
had done their NURSE AIDE training at CORNWALL HOSPITAL. Mentions group
from NURSES' CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP and social activities. Recalls MONEY not
a problem as family helped. Attended OTAHUHU BAPTIST CHURCH. Describes
relationships between intakes of nurses.
023'34"
BOYFRIEND [ALAN BENSON]
Describes ALAN BENSON's encouragement of her WORK and STUDY. ALAN
8
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
worked at OTAHUHU RAILWAY WORKSHOPS as trainee accountant., then BIBLE
TRAINING INSTITUTE [BTI] in 1960. Describes ALAN's desire to be a missionary
with CHINA INLAND MISSION. Grace did one year at BTI after completing four
years nursing. GLANDULAR FEVER. MARRIGE.
027'17"
SOCIAL LIFE AND HOSPITAL SOCIAL LIFE
Recalls going to CINEMA at MISSION BAY and OTAHUHU. Also BALLET and
CIVIC THEATRE. Describes activities at SOCIAL HALL at MIDDLEMORE. Hard to
get off duty.
032'27"
SOCIALISING WITH HOSPITAL STAFF
PARTIES and SOCIALISING. More likely after graduating. Describes.
034'20"
ALCOHOL & SMOKING
Describes lack of ALCOHOL use as students. Family was SALVATION ARMY. Lack
of SMOKING among student nurse colleagues. Describes her own attempts at
SMOKING. Awareness of health concerns about SMOKING, TB WARDS, GREEN
LANE. Describes.
039'00"
ENGAGEMENT, CAREERS & MARRIAGE
Describes ENGAGEMENT, CAREERS. ALAN BENSON unable to be MISSIONARY,
and became a TEACHER. Some friends MARRIED immediately after
GRADUATION. Describes with examples.
044'12"
INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS
Not aware LESBIAN RELATIONSHPS. Strong FRIENDSHIPS. Describes. Shared
confidences but kept PATIENT PRIVACY [JOAN BENSON]. Not aware of
PREGNANCIES among student nurses.
048'36"
SPORT
TENNIS at MIDDLEMORE. Native tree walk at MIDDLEMORE. Describes sending
seedlings from GREAT BARRIER ISLAND to MIDDLEMORE HOSPITAL when
established [FOREST AND BIRD SOCIETY].
050'00"
NURSES CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
At MIDDLEMORE. Describes.
051'25"
SICKNESS
Describes procedure if sick. SICK PARADE with Dr COLVIN, MEDICAL
SUPERINTENDENT. Describes circumstances including MEASLES. Good care in
SICK BAY.
054'06"
NURSING COMPARED TO OTHER JOBS
Valued nursing as a PROFESSION. 'I was always so glad I was a nurse. It was
so complex and it was so interesting and it was so huge and it was so important
and it was so amazing.'
055'12"
STUDENT NURSES ASSOCIATION
Does not recall a STUDENT NURSES' ASSOCIATION at MIDDLEMORE. Joined
REGISTERED NURSES' ASSOCIATION once qualified. Describes rewards of
qualification.
056'12"
PAY AND CONDITIONS
Describes hard work, long hours. Describes provision of UNIFORM, LAUNDRY,
9
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
LODGING. PAY 'minimum' but happy to get it. Unaware of MALE NURSE pay or
others' wages. Work hard but very satisfying.
063'13"
FINAL EXAM & GRADUATION
Recalls formal GRADUATION ceremony at AUCKLAND TOWN HALL. Won two
prizes: NEWMAN CUP and PAPATOETOE HOSPITAL AUXILIARY PRIZE for Best
Theoretical and Practical Nurse at Middlemore. Describes parents's pride:
'Daughter Grace ran off with all the prizes'. Chairman of Board, Mr CAUGHEY,
and all the matrons (Miss CLELAND and Miss BARKER from MIDDLEMORE).
Nightingale Pledge. Grace did not go to GRADUATION BALL at SORRENTO.
Church upbringing, wrong to dance.
FILE 4 ENDS 71 Minutes 38 Seconds.
10
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
Recorded:
Interviewer:
Abstracter:
Equipment type:
29 JUN 2012
Debbie Dunsford
Debbie Dunsford
Fostex FR-2LE Digital
Recorder
File: 5 of 5
000'16"
STAFF NURSE
STAFF NURSE after graduating, giving more individualised patient care, working
with doctors. Describes. [Sister GRANDISON, Ward 4 (medical) at
MIDDLEMORE, Miss BARKER (Assistant Matron) and Miss CLELAND (Matron)].
Describes FRIENDSHIP SISTER GRANDISON and MISS BARKER.
008'00"
MATERNITY NURSING
MATERNITY NURSE TRAINING. Describes practices at time including fathers not
usually being present [Refers DR AND MRS LILEY]. Experience influenced her
views on how CHILDBIRTH should be. Describes own choice of maternity
hospital [Refers GRANTLY DICK-READ and DR SPACKMAN].
013'53"
POST MATERNITY TRAINING BIBLE TRAINING INSTITUTE
Describes finishing four years with AUCKLAND HOSPITAL BOARD (1960).
Received medals and prize [MISS MILLAR, MATRON]. Describes GRACE (in
1961) and ALAN going to BTI (BAPTIST TABERNACLE, QUEEN STREET, and
then in LINCOLN ROAD, HENDERSON). Bible studies and communication
training. MARRIAGE January 1962.
Health problems [GLANDULAR FEVER] Alan at TEACHERS' COLLEGE, then
GLADSTONE ROAD PRIMARY SCHOOL. Grace's PREGNANCY [daughter
MICHELLE BENSON born at BELLEVUE PRIVATE HOSPITAL].
019'25"
PART TIME WORK AFTER MARRIAGE
Describes being a mother and working at WARRENGATE PRIVATE HOSPITAL,
MT ALBERT.
022'50"
KING COUNTRY, TE KUITI HOSPITAL
Alan got TEACHING job at MAPIU SCHOOL [between TE KUITI and
TAUMARUNUI]. Lived at ARATAURA. Describes life and work by both in school
and Alan drove school bus. MIDDLEMORE colleague came to live at KOPAKI
nearby. Describes SOCIALIZING at the time. Recalls encounter groups at GREAT
BARRIER ISLAND and started to build own place there in the 1970s.
026'00"
TE KUITI HOSPITAL
Worked as NIGHT SUPERVISOR around 1966. Daughter KAREN BENSON born
TE KUITI HOSPITAL. Describes TE KUITI HOSPITAL. Describes skill of Indianborn surgeon MR AZAIREH.
028'53"
DANNEVIRKE HOSPITAL
Describes career move for Alan so Grace could work full-time [DANNEVIRKE
HOSPITAL, TAHARAITI SCHOOL]. Describes involvement with MAORI MORMON
community of TAHARAITI. Influence on family's lives and thinking. Learned
about TREATY OF WAITANGI. Learned about DEATH, dying and TANGI.
034'31"
GRACE'S CAREER
Recalls how they planned the CAREER of each. Alan involved NEW ZEALAND
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE [NZEI]. Grace worked as AFTERNOON and NIGHT
11
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
SUPERVISOR, then FULL TIME CHARGE NURSE (MEDICAL SURGICAL WARD).
Contrasts MIDDLEMORE and DANNEVIRKE. TEAM NURSING starting and more
REGISTERED NURSES on shifts. Describes closing of REGISTERED NURSE
TRAINING SCHOOL at DANNEVIRKE mid-1960s and move to 18 months
COMMUNITY NURSE TRAINING. Describes her desire to teach mid 1970s.
039'49"
TEACHING & FURTHER EDUCATION
Describes beginning of own EDUCATION to be a teacher (MASSEY UNIVERSITY,
BACHELOR OF ARTS). Became interested in movement of NURSING
EDUCATION. Involved in REGISTERED NURSES' ASSOCIATION as nursing
training moved to TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
042'00"
WORK AS NURSE TUTOR
Recalls challenge between theory and practice of teaching and teaching on the
ward. Attended WELLLINGTON TEACHERS' COLLEGE course for tutors in
hospital schools of nursing. Learned how to teach and lecture. Lived at
WELLINGTON HOSPITAL with MISS BONNER [previously MATRON of
DANNEVIRKE and was PRINCIPAL NURSE of WELLINGTON].
DANNEVIRKE HOSPITAL enrolled course. Describes participants and type of
nursing undertaken. Grace puts her view that COMMUNITY NURSE training
didn't really fit as they always had to work under supervision. Reflects on own
growth as a teacher of nursing. Quite a few MAORI on community nursing
course.
047'02"
FURTHER CAREER GOALS
CAREER DEVELOPMENT. Wanted to teach in a TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
Describes unsuccessful application for PRINCIPAL NURSE at DANNEVIRKE
HOSPITAL. Accepted role at MIT [MANUKAU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
SOUTH AUCKLAND] as tutor. Describes reasons for accepting [Refers JAN
GRANT, YVONNE SHADBOLT]. Alan got job at WINDY RIDGE SCHOOL on
NORTH SHORE.
050'00"
REGISTERED NURSES ASSOCIATION INVOLVEMENT
Involved DANNEVIRKE BRANCH NZRNA [LATER NZNO] many years. Role on
NZRNA Branch Council and two years as President. Describes activities.
Describes changes in NURSING EDUCATION [Refers NAN KINROSS at MASSEY
and SCHOOL OF ADVANCED NURSING in WELLINGTON]. Describes personal
focus on professional nursing and education, theory needed for nursing.
DANNEVIRKE HOSPITAL the hub for NZRNA. Describes local NZRNA
membership and activities.
055'30"
NURSING AS A CAREER IN 1970S
Describes HIERARCHY of MEDICINE, PHYSIOTHERAPY, NURSING and challenge
for nursing of identifying its specialty alongside other professionals. FLORENCE
NIGHTGALE trying to teaching that back in 1860. Autonomy not as easy to see
as in nursing as other professions. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS came up as a
specialty.
058'45"
MOVE TO MANUKAU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 1982
Describes professional transition from teacher to lecturer in move to MIT. Refers
colleague BEV JOHNSON, MIDDLEMORE.
12
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Grace Annie Hight Benson
Reflects on own training as a nurse and modern education including ethics,
communication skills, cultural safety and the TREATY OF WAITANGI.
065'15"
CHANGES TO STRUCTURE OF COURSE
Refers to changes to nursing qualification and CURRICULUM at MIT. DIPLOMA
OF NURSING. BACHELOR OF HEALTH SCIENCE. BACHELOR OF NURSING.
066'50"
FURTHER EDUCATION 1990S
Describes own further EDUCATION in 1990s. Refers AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY,
BACHELOR OF EDUCATION, VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON,
MASTERS DEGREE. 'Best years of my life.'
Refers JILL WHITE, MARGIE MARTIN, SHERYL MOSS. Part time study while
working full time (1996-1999).
072'24"
REFLECTIONS ON STUDY
Reflects on being a student, stress of working and studying, health issues.
075'00"
CHANGES IN MEDICINE & NURSING OVER YEARS
Reflects on nursing as a specialty of working with human responses to their
health problems. Basic premise of caring and responding to the patient.
078'34"
RETIREMENT
Reflects on career, changes in nursing and new developments in teaching
nurses. Refers MIDDLEMORE and COUNTIES MANUKAU HEALTH BOARD.
FILE 5 AND INTERVIEW ENDS 80 Minutes 48 Seconds.
13