NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Steph Parker
Recorded:
Interviewer:
Abstracter:
Equipment type:
24 JUL 2013
Debbie Dunsford
Debbie Dunsford
Fostex FR-2LE Digital
Recorder
File: 1 of 5
1. Steph Parker, Graduation Day,
Auckland Hospital, 1970.
Photographer: Clifton Firth Ltd,
Auckland.
2. Steph Parker, Graduation Day,
Northland Polytechnic, 1997. Parker
family collection.
Photo 1
000'05"
Photo 2
INTRODUCTION
STEPHANIE [STEPH] MARGARET PARKER (NEE BRICE). Born GLEN EDEN,
AUCKLAND, 16 October 1949.
Father was RONALD GEORGE BRICE, born 1921 in SWANSON, AUCKLAND. Son
of IMMIGRANTS from LONDON, ENGLAND. Refers BOW BELLS, COCKNEY,
EDUCATION, WORK, WORLD WAR 2 EXPERIENCE, PACIFIC ISLANDS,
FIREWOOD MERCHANT, CROWN LYNN POTTERIES, NEW LYNN. Describes
firewood business.
Mother was MARJORIE JOAN TURNER born in WAIHI. Her father worked as
miner in KARANGAHAKE GORGE. Mother adopted by aunt in TAURANGA.
Mother's family and upbringing. Describes. Refers RELIGION. Mother worked for
ARMED FORCES in WORLD WAR 2. Met and married husband. Disapproval of
family. Describes. Refers EDUCATION, RELIGION, FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.
Family had good STANDARD OF LIVING.
011'00"
EDUCATION AND JOB AT AUCKLAND BLOOD TRANSFUSION UNIT
Attended GLEN EDEN PRIMARY SCHOOL, GLEN EDEN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL,
KELSTON GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. Did ACADEMIC COURSE at mother's
instigation. Refers ACADEMIC WORK, PARENTAL ATTITUDES TO EDUCATION,
SCHOOL CERTIFICATE.
Left school early in 6th form for job in (AUCKLAND) BLOOD TRANSFUSION
UNIT. Job seemed easy to get and enjoyed work. Refers SISTER
MONTGOMERY, MEAT WORKS, MT EDEN PRISON. 'I was the HAEMOGLOBIN
GIRL... I would prick their thumbs and I had a little pipette...' Describes.
018'12"
APPLYING FOR NURSING
SISTER MONTGOMERY (MONTY) used to say 'You girls, you are going to go
1
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Steph Parker
nursing. We'll get you into nursing'. SISTER MONTGOMERY arranged nursing
interviews for STEPH and Wendy (?). Both accepted. Refers MIDDLEMORE,
AUCKLAND. Part of appeal was leaving home and living in NURSES' HOME.
Parents supported decision to go nursing. Some homesickness.
021'40"
FIRST DAY AT NURSES' HOME & UNIFORM
Describes first day. Refers NURSES' HOME, PARK ROAD, PRELIMINARY
SCHOOL. Describes room. Trainee nurses mostly from AUCKLAND, one from
WAIHI. Refers STUDY BLOCKS. Nearly all were around school leaving AGE.
UNIFORM. Describes including how long it took to change UNIFORMS. Refers
INFECTION CONTROL.
028'50"
PRELIMINARY SCHOOL TRAINING
Formal classroom training. Plenty of time to socialise also. Refers
CAMARADERIE. Crammed for EXAMS. Hard work. 'But I must say we worked
very, very hard when we were in the wards. And I think we all took our work at
work very seriously. And we were very proud of our work ... and we were
practical people, and I guess that's why we went nursing really.'
Taught skills and techniques of PATIENT CARE. Describes. Conscious of patient
MODESTY. Most learning on the ward. Bedmaking. Strict attention to detail
taught DISCIPLINE.
Does not recall TUTOR SISTERS at PRELIMINARY SCHOOL.
034'45"
JUNIOR NURSE DUTIES
Given huge responsibilities. Describes. Refers DRUG ROUNDS, SLUICE ROOM,
HYGIENE STANDARDS, CENTRAL STERILISING SUPPLY, CLEANING, FLOWERS,
MEALS. Biggest challenge of day to make sure everyone was bathed.
Early experience in CHILDREN'S WARD at PRINCESS MARY and EMERGENCY
DEPARTMENT.
Learned on ward from SENIOR NURSES. Refers TEAMWORK, EXHAUSTION.
Relevance of STUDY BLOCK topics to WARD WORK a matter of luck. Reflects on
quality of nurse training received.
041'45"
SHIFT STRUCTURE
MORNING SHIFT about getting patients up and washed. AFTERNOON SHIFT
about washing and getting patients back to bed. Describes. STAFF NURSE
organised work. NIGHT SHIFTS. Describes supervision and responsibilities.
Avoided WARD SISTERS. 'Always something you hadn't done right. They were
very regimental.' Recalls SISTER WILLIAMS (or WILLIAMSON) finding things
wrong and yelling at her [DISCIPLINE]. Recalls SISTER FROMONT in charge of
INFECTIOUS DISEASES had a more kindly manner.
Change to SHIFT STRUCTURE. In 1970, trainee nurses changed from working 6
days a week to 5 days a week.
048'39"
PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCIPLINE
WARD DUTIES according to seniority. Describes. Refers DOCTORS' ROUNDS,
HIERARCHY. Reflects on disadvantages of strict HIERARCHY. Recounts incident
as STAFF NURSE in CHILDREN'S MEDICAL WARD when reprimanded over a
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NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Steph Parker
minor matter. Matron said 'Get over it and get back to work.' [DISCIPLINE]
Recounts example of being in a rush [HUMOUR, CAMARADERIE]. A lot of
learning happened in bedrooms, at lunch breaks. Contrast today. Refers role of
SMOKING in CAMARADERIE. Nurses expected to just cope with EMOTIONS,
DEATH. Contrast today. No mixing outside of ward between levels of
HIERARCHY.
Little recall of EXAMS.
062'15"
PATIENTS, DISEASES AND CHANGE
Worked EYE WARD. Refers GLAUCOMA, DETACHED RETINAS. Worked
UROLOGY WARD. Refers PROSTATE SURGERY, 'lots of blood and gore'. Refers
SURGICAL WARD, APPENDICITIS.
Stint in NATIONAL WOMEN'S HOSPITAL. Recounts incident when girl she knew
gave birth as an UNMARRIED MOTHER. Refers STIGMA. Describes duties
including PERINEAL TOILETS. Had to do five deliveries. Describes.
Worked with PROFESSOR HERB GREEN, PROFESSOR DENNIS BONHAM. Reflects
on later criticism of GREEN. 'That's how we did things in those days. You never
ever told anybody they had cancer, never told anybody what was wrong with
them.' Reflects. [CARTWRIGHT INQUIRY]
PATIENTS in AUCKLAND HOSPITALS in 1960s predominantly PAKEHA. PACIFIC
ISLAND WORKERS in parts of hospital. ISLAND GROUPS kept separate. Some
NURSING STUDENTS from SAMOA at NATIONAL WOMEN'S HOSPITAL.
Recalls BETTY NORTHCOTE, a POLIO(MYELITIS) patient in an IRON LUNG.
Painted with her feet. Describes.
Loud noise would cause TETANUS patients to spasm.
Babies in Ward 29 had huge heads. Describes. Refers HYDROCEPHALUS,
PROFESSOR BOB ELLIOTT. Babies with CYSTIC FIBROSIS. Describes. TRAUMA
of separation from parents. Reflects on how influenced her career. Refers
PAEDIATRICS, PLAY THERAPY.
FILE ENDS 79 minutes 33 seconds.
3
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Steph Parker
Recorded:
Interviewer:
Abstracter:
Equipment type:
24 JUL 2013
Debbie Dunsford
Debbie Dunsford
Fostex FR-2LE Digital
Recorder
File: 2 of 5
000'05"
NURSES' HOME
Describes NURSES' HOME. Groups of friends developed. Occasionally had drinks
in corridors. Refers ALCOHOL, SCREWDRIVER, SMOKING, HOME SISTER.
Rooms inspected. Recounts incident when STEPH and friend [SHONA] drove to
TAIRUA BEACH for the day. Got sunstroke. MATRON threatened dismissal for
being irresponsible. [DISCIPLINE]
DINING ROOM and MEALS. Describes. 'I used to like the food. I thought the
food was very nice. I used to love the cold, rubbery toast.' Hot lunch, always
enough food, informal tables and seating. Alcoves in NURSES' HOME for snacks
at other times.
LAUNDRY arrangements including UNIFORMS, personal clothes, sheets.
CURFEW HOURS never a problem. 'If you were late, you stayed out. I had a car.
You could stay in the car.' Windows and fire escape stairs. MALE VISITORS not
allowed in rooms. Visited parents at home regularly.
Went FLATTING with a group. Refers RANFURLY ROAD, EPSOM, MIDDLEMORE.
Reflects on how much harder the MIDDLEMORE nurses worked. Refers
ORTHOPAEDICS, LIFTING, PARAPLEGICS. Reason for friend leaving nursing.
'Anybody who trained at MIDDLEMORE and got through in those days, I take
my hat off to.' Comments on PATIENTS being demanding. Comments on
ATTRITION RATE, although everyone in STEPH's group finished
[CAMARADERIE].
One girl a LESBIAN and shunned by rest of class. She did not complete training.
Refers SOCIAL NORMS.
HOMESICKNESS. Describes reasons.
017'25"
SENIOR NURSES, DOCTORS, MALE NURSES
Relationship with SENIOR NURSES was one of AUTHORITY and SUBSERVIENCE.
No connection with DOCTORS on the wards. Does not recall any FEMALE
DOCTORS.
Does not recall MALE NURSES while training but a MALE nurse assistant in
UROLOGY WARD, WELLINGTON HOSPITAL later.
020'32"
SOCIAL LIFE
Went out with BOYFRIENDS, with girls to DANCES. Describes.
[Pager beeps]
ENTERTAINMENT included going to MOVIES, COFFEE BARS, FOLK MUSIC
places. Refers NEWMARKET, HAMILTON BLUEGRASS BAND, IRISH ROVERS,
THE BUNKER, JOAN BAEZ, BOB DYLAN. Ate afterwards at NEWMARKET
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NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Steph Parker
PIECART. Had own MORRIS SERIES E CAR. Often sang together in NURSES'
HOME. Not so keen on POP MUSIC. Refers THE BEATLES, ROLLING STONES.
Did not go SHOPPING. Insufficient MONEY. FLATTING. Describes.
FRIENDS outside of nursing. SOCIAL HIERARCHY of occupations. Describes.
FILE ENDS 28 minutes 39 seconds.
5
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Steph Parker
Recorded:
Interviewer:
Abstracter:
Equipment type:
25 JUL 2013
Debbie Dunsford
Debbie Dunsford
Fostex FR-2LE Digital
Recorder
File: 3 of 5
000'05"
HOSPITAL SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
HOSPITAL BALLS but does not recall other social activities at AUCKLAND
HOSPITAL. CHRISTMAS activities. Describes.
Regular staff PARTIES at DOCTORS' RESIDENCE. Describes. Student nurses
socialised a lot within own group. Describes.
Everyone SMOKED. No HEALTH CONCERNS. Describes.
ALCOHOL and DRUG use. Describes. Refers MARIJUANA, LSD, SCREWDRIVER,
SHERRY, BEER.
007'24"
BOYFRIENDS
Met BOYFRIENDS through social activities. Describes. Met future husband [ROB
PARKER] while training. ENGAGEMENTS while training. Nurses dispersed after
GRADUATION. Discusses.
[Voices and door closing in background]
Student nurses who became PREGNANT 'just disappeared and we didn't know'.
SUPPORT for nurses in own special group. Describes.
011'20"
SPORT AND INTERESTS
Difficult to combine SHIFT WORK and team SPORT. Describes. Not aware of or
involved in other groups.
012'25"
SICKNESS
Procedure if sick. Describes. Refers MATRON, HOSPITAL DOCTOR. 'You had to
be really sick to be sick.'
Recalls instance of one girl who had seizure and disappeared. Thinks she was
unable to continue to be a nurse. Refers GLANDULAR FEVER.
014'47"
COMPARISON TO OTHER OCCUPATIONS
Felt pleased she had a TRADE and would get a QUALIFICATION. Reflects on
motivations for continuing when it got tough. Refers OVERSEAS TRAVEL,
ATTRITION RATE. Some girls worked very hard.
017'50"
NURSES' ASSOCIATIONS
Unaware of STUDENT NURSES' ASSOCIATION and NZ REGISTERED NURSES'
ASSOCIATION.
018'15"
PAY
Method of payment. Discusses. The main object was training not pay. LIVING
EXPENSES and SAVING. Describes.
020'25"
GRADUATION
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NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Steph Parker
EXAM pass list posted in NURSES' HOME. Some shame at having to repeat if
failed. Pride when received STAFF NURSE epaulets. Describes.
GRADUATION CEREMONY at AUCKLAND TOWN HALL. Describes. GRADUATION
BALL. Describes.
026'10"
STAFF NURSE, AUCKLAND HOSPITAL
Placed in CHILDREN'S MEDICAL WARD. The fourth year as STAFF NURSE was
seen as the full qualification. STAFF NURSE DUTIES and role in teaching student
nurses. Describes. 'I'd like to think I tried to be a bit more measured about my
criticism.'
[Pager beeps]
FILE ENDS 28 minutes 40 seconds
7
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Steph Parker
Recorded:
Interviewer:
Abstracter:
Equipment type:
25 JUL 2013
Debbie Dunsford
Debbie Dunsford
Fostex FR-2LE Digital
Recorder
File: 4 of 5
000'05"
STAFF NURSE, AUCKLAND HOSPITAL
Husband to MASSEY UNIVERSITY, PALMERSTON NORTH, to do POSTGRADUATE STUDY. Married November 1970. Moved to PALMERSTON NORTH
around February 1971.
Sense of pride and privilege in working at AUCKLAND HOSPITAL. Exposure to
most complicated cases, pioneering techniques and treatments. Describes.
Refers PROFESSOR (?) ELLIOTT, DIABETES, CYSTIC FIBROSIS. Recounts
instance of one nurse having a crush on one doctor.
004'30"
PALMERSTON NORTH HOSPITAL
Generally happy to move around NZ for husband's job. Easy to fit into new
hospitals and to get jobs. Describes. Refers PALMERSTON NORTH.
Assigned MEN'S MEDICAL WARD, known as 'FORT KNOX'. Describes. Refers
SISTER KNOX. First experience of feeling valued and respected as a nurse. Very
proud when became a SISTER with an epaulet with white stripe. Attended
DOCTORS' ROUNDS but never questioned them. Many patients in hospital for
HEART ATTACKS. Describes. Refers DIGOXIN.
Spent a year at PALMERSTON NORTH. Refers HUSBAND'S QUALIFICATION,
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, HORTICULTURE.
010'00"
WELLINGTON AND MASTERTON HOSPITALS
Moved to Wellington. Job as STAFF SISTER, UROLOGY WARD, WELLINGTON
HOSPITAL. MALE NURSE AIDE on ward was openly gay. 'Quite a dramatic' place
to work. Refers PROSTETECTOMY, BLADDER CANCER. Describes.
Moved to MASTERTON HOSPITAL. Assigned to GENERAL SURGICAL WARD.
Describes hospital and cottage atmosphere. Refers GOSSIP. Experience of some
nurses limited. Contrast to AUCKLAND training. Describes. Refers MATRON
ANDERSON.
Loved living in WELLINGTON. Refers THEATRE, COAST, RESTAURANT. In
MASTERTON, husband worked as HORTICULTURAL ADVISOR for AGRICULTURE
NZ. Refers BRUSSELS SPROUTS, KIWIFRUIT, APPLES.
017'07"
GENERAL SURGICAL WARD, MASTERTON HOSPITAL
GENERAL SURGICAL WARD, MASTERTON HOSPITAL Refers HYSTERECTOMY,
VEINS, GALL BLADDERS, APPENDICITIS. Recounts instance of getting into
trouble for inadvertently telling patient they had OVARIAN CANCER. Describes.
'You never told the patients they had cancer.' Refers CARTWRIGHT INQUIRY.
Recounts instance of a nurse stealing DRUGS and overdosing. Refers
MORPHINE, PETHIDINE, OMNIPOM.
Patients transferred from MASTERTON to WELLINGTON for major conditions.
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NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Steph Parker
Recounts dramatic incident when transferring patient by ambulance and
patient's husband came after them with a gun. Does not recall MAORI patients.
023'40"
OVERSEAS TRAVEL
Travelled to ENGLAND, EUROPE. In winter, worked and lived at TREE NURSERY
in TENBURY WELLS. Describes. Refers PEARS, APPLES, PEACHES. Enjoyed
village life. Refers FOX HUNTING, PUBS. Did not do NURSING WORK in
ENGLAND.
027'05"
HASTINGS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Husband's HORTICULTURE WORK. Describes. Job in WOMEN'S MEDICAL WARD.
Refers STROKES. Recalls how one PACIFIC ISLAND PATIENT had TB
(TUBERCULOSIS) and became depressed because she was on a diet and losing
weight [CULTURAL ATTITUDES TO BODY SIZE]. Recalls developing a close
relationship to a MAORI patient with CANCER. Stayed in ward until DEATH.
Refers PAIN RELIEF, MORPHINE.
032'25"
MIDWIFERY / DISTRICT NURSING
MIDWIFERY never appealed. Did some PUBLIC HEALTH type work in
WHANGAREI. Family moved around a lot so STEPH always happy to get a
hospital job. Home with children for around ten years.
033'05"
CHILDREN'S WARD, WHANGAREI HOSPITAL
Returned to hospital work, CHILDREN'S WARD, WHANGAREI HOSPITAL. Part
time work paid well and suited childcare needs. Anxiety about working NIGHT
SHIFTS with one other nurse on CHILDREN'S WARD. Describes. Parents able to
stay overnight with children. Contrast earlier practice. Refers PRINCESS MARY
BLOCK, MAORI, MARAE, SECURITY.
No refresher training required after ten years away. Some anxiety. Describes.
Treatments for children with CYSTIC FIBROSIS. Describes. Recalls instance of
gaining confidence of a frightened child.
'I was very lucky, up in WHANGAREI was the first time in my career that you
actually had a say, you were actually listened to, that you actually were part of a
team.' PAEDIATRICIANS and NURSES worked together. Contrast earlier practice
and HIERARCHY. Describes procedure of installing port. Refers HEPARIN LOCK,
BLACK VAN DIAMOND SYNDROME.
041'49"
NURSE SPECIALISMS
Completed four month PAEDIATRIC NURSE COURSE at AUT UNIVERSITY,
NORTH SHORE, AUCKLAND. Refers FEBRILE CHILDREN'S ILLNESSES,
RESPIRATORY CHILDREN'S ILLNESSES, GASTRO CHILDREN'S ILLNESSES. 'One
of the most exciting things I've ever done.'
Strong relationship between WHANGAREI HOSPITAL and MIDDLEMORE
HOSPITAL. Faced similar challenges with child patients. Innovative PAEDIATRIC
OUTREACH SERVICE. Visited children in community. Refers BRONCHIALITIS.
Describes.
FILE ENDS 44 minutes 39 seconds.
9
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Steph Parker
Recorded:
Interviewer:
Abstracter:
Equipment type:
25 JUL 2013
Debbie Dunsford
Debbie Dunsford
Fostex FR-2LE Digital
Recorder
File: 5 of 5
000'05"
PAEDIATRIC NURSING, WHANGAREI
Most PAEDIATRIC work new to STEPH. Refers MAORI, MENINGITIS.
PAEDIATRICS benefited from HEALTH REFORMS of 1990s. Money invested.
Refers SCBU (SPECIAL CARE BABY UNIT). Seeking better ways of working,
Refers OTTAWA CHARTER, PHILIP DERBYSHIRE, FAMILY-CENTRED CARE.
002'18"
BACHELOR OF NURSING
Staff encouraged by HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT to enrol in BACHELOR OF
NURSING. Fitted PART-TIME STUDY in with PART-TIME WORK and FAMILY.
Refers NORTHLAND (POLYTECHNIC). Degree helped her NURSING PRACTICE.
006'35"
PAEDIATRIC NURSING, WHANGAREI
HOSPITAL BOARD paid fees for PAEDIATRIC NURSING COURSE in AUCKLAND.
NETWORK of PAEDIATRIC NURSES throughout NZ. Value of CONFERENCES.
Describes.
008'14"
BAY OF PLENTY
Family moved to BAY OF PLENTY. Describes. Refers HORTICULTURAL
INDUSTRY, WHANGAREI, AGRICULTURE NZ, WRIGHTSONS LTD, JAPAN.
CHARGE NURSE, WHAKATANE HOSPITAL, CHILDREN'S WARD. Lasted three
days only. 'It was like walking back ten years.' Describes. Refers CHRISTINE ?,
MATRON.
Worked CHILDREN'S WARD, TAURANGA HOSPITAL. Backward also and
HIERARCHICAL. Describes.
TUTOR in programme for HEALTH CARE ASSISTANTS, BAY OF PLENTY
POLYTECH. Describes. Refers NURSING HOMES.
Offered job in CHILDREN'S WARD, TAURANGA HOSPITAL. Improvements from
that point. Describes. Refers WHANGAREI, BAY OF PLENTY, IMMIGRATION,
UNITED KINGDOM. Reflects on changes. Nurses so busy not so much time for
SOCIALISING and learning from experience of other nurses. Describes.
018'15"
RESPIRATORY SPECIALIST NURSE WITH A PAEDIATRIC FOCUS
Works with CHILDREN with CYSTIC FIBROSIS. Describes overall role and duties.
Refers NZ NURSES ORGANISATION RESPIRATORY NURSES' GROUP, ASTHMA.
022'20"
NZ NURSES' ORGANISATION / KAI TIAKI
Origin of RESPIRATORY NURSES' GROUP for BAY OF PLENTY. Describes. Refers
ASTHMA SOCIETY, GREERTON. Member NZ REGISTERED NURSES' ASSN.
Usefulness of KAI TIAKI. Describes.
Disappointment over lack of support given by NZ NURSES' ORGANISATION in
past. Discusses.
10
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Steph Parker
025'50"
FINAL REFLECTIONS
NURSING PRACTICE change over time. Describes. 'When I was a student and as
a young nurse, we were taught not to think, I suppose, encouraged not to think.
We were told to do.' Now can be a valued part of a team. Describes. Refers
MILITARY DISCIPLINE, TEAMWORK, SATISFACTION, HORIZONTAL VIOLENCE.
Unaware of build up to CHANGES to NURSE EDUCATION in 1970s. Bringing up
children.
Had not intended to return to nursing. 'A love/hate thing.' Since working at
WHANGAREI HOSPITAL, has loved NURSING.
Changes to NURSE EDUCATION have made nurses think. Current nurse
graduates need more support on the wards because have not been trained to be
hospital nurses. Discusses.
034'00"
FINAL REFLECTIONS
NURSING gave easy EMPLOYMENT while moving around NZ. 'It was just a job.'
In WHANGAREI, 'it became a passion...'. Feels now can make a difference as an
individual.
Constants in NURSING are FRIENDSHIP, CAMARADERIE, HUMOUR. In past, girls
often became nurses through lack of CHOICE. Thinks today people who do
nursing want to be nurses.
Describes adaptions to change over whole career.
FILE AND INTERVIEW ends 38 minutes 59 seconds.
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