NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Mary LEAN
Recorded:
Interviewer:
Abstracter:
Equipment type:
3 JUL 2013
Margaret Horsburgh
Margaret Horsburgh
Fostex FR- 2LE Digital
Recorder
File: 1 of 2
1. Mary Lean, March 16, 2103,
Rotorua Daily Post
2. Mary Lean, QSM, Woolf
Photography 2005
Photo 1
Photo 2
000'05"
INTRODUCTION TO FILE 1
000'34"
GROWING UP
Grew up in WAERENGA, nine miles out of TE KAUWHATA. Father a dry stock
farmer. One sister. Father had been wounded in WW1, older when married,
mother eighteen years younger, a school teacher before marriage. Describes.
001'33"
CAREER DECISIONS
Few careers available for girls, teaching or nursing. Mother keen for daughters
to be teachers. Sister trained as a PHARMACIST. Mary wanted to be a VET
[VETERINARY], father 'not keen', chose nursing instead. Describes.
002'35"
SCHOOLING
Attended WAERENGA PRIMARY SCHOOL and boarded at EPSOM GIRLS'
GRAMMAR SCHOOL, AUCKLAND for secondary education. Of mother's three
sisters, two had been to EPSOM GIRLS' GRAMMAR. Private boarded for first
year, then lived in hostel. Four years secondary education.
'Did just enough academically ... did a lot of sport.' Achieved SCHOOL
CERTIFICATE. Subjects included GEOGRAPHY, BIOLOGY. Describes.
005'02"
DECISION TO BE A NURSE
Aunt was a NURSING SISTER at GREEN LANE HOSPITAL, she had four nieces,
wanted them all to be nurses. One cousin also became a nurse. Aunt gave a
framed picture of 5 pointed star [nurse medal], 'I have always worn my medal'.
Describes.
Through secondary school years knew would go nursing at WAIKATO
HOSPITAL, sister training in hospital PHARMACY. Describes.
Never considered anything other than general nursing at WAIKATO HOSPITAL.
Explains.
006'58"
APPLYING FOR NURSING
Applied for training from school. Aged 17 years when left school. Did do some
work for a hairdresser until able to commence training. Friend from primary
school started nurse training at same time. Explains.
1
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Mary LEAN
009'57"
FLATTING
In second year of training, group of six went flatting together, Mary only one
who completed training. Explains.
010'05"
INTERVIEW
Mother and father accompanied for interview. Explains.
011'04"
EARLY EXPERIENCES
Initially in RYBURN NURSES' HOME, at top of hill. Half hour for meal break, a
challenge if working in HOCKEN at bottom of hill, required to change uniform to
go off the wards. Mother would say 'Don't eat so fast!'. Describes.
012'10"
NURSES' HOME LIFE
Fierce HOME SISTER. Climbing out of windows, midnight feasts all part of
NURSES' HOME life. Describes.
013'04"
NURSING GROUP/UNIFORMS
Nursing group all female, came from wide area, majority school leavers.
Explains.
Uniforms white, stiff belts, white shoes and stockings. Blue uniform when not on
wards. Blue capes. Describes.
015'09"
PRELIMINARY SCHOOL
Three months in school, before ward work, 'couldn't wait to get out into the real
world'. Describes.
015'49"
JUNIOR NURSE
As junior nurse cared for patients almost ready to go home. At WAIKATO this
meant working on the verandah. As became more senior, cared for sicker
people. Junior nurse role revolved around sluice room. Describes.
016'40"
SHIFT WORK
Worked five days a week, three eight hour shifts, 7am start for morning shift.
Explains.
016'55"
TYPICAL JUNIOR NURSE DUTY
Typical duty in the sluice room, counting cutlery, making beds, little hands-on
patient care, cleaning. Describes.
017'39"
DISCIPLINE
Very strict discipline, 'in awe of senior nurses and WARD SISTER'. Christian
names not used with patients. Everything neat and tidy. 'Crept away during
DOCTOR'S rounds.' Describes.
019'04"
HIERARCHY
Hierarchy continued, as seniors told the juniors what to do. With students
providing patient care hierarchical approach was required, 'senior people had to
be on top of things'. Describes.
020'16"
VARIOUS AREAS OF NURSING WORK
Found MEDICAL nursing allowed for more people contact. 'Theatre nursing just
an assistant to the surgeon'. GERIATRIC nursing interesting. Describes.
'Most important person in surgical ward, the SURGEON.' Describes.
Medical wards, 'people had to contend with conditions which might not be going
2
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Mary LEAN
to get fixed ... could have more personal involvement with the person'. People
stayed in hospital a long time. Describes.
022'47"
WORK PATTERNS
STAFF NURSES on all shifts. As a student on NIGHT DUTY, might be on 'your
own', STAFF NURSES came around. Explains.
WARD SISTER had oversight of everything that happened in ward, interacted
with the DOCTORS, saw every patient. Describes.
STAFF NURSES took responsibility for a group of patients with students. Worked
as a team. Describes.
Contrast with 'primary nursing' which did not actually do what was intended.
Reflects.
'Always very busy ... never had time to work out what had happened to person
... you had your tasks.' Describes.
025'53"
DOCTORS
Had nothing to do with DOCTORS as students, 'WARD SISTER’s big moment'.
Senior students would interact with HOUSE SURGEONS. Describes.
026'48"
PATIENT AT THE CENTRE
Training excellent, 'enabled you to dabble your feet in'. 'Patient is paramount ...
person is not like in the books ... sooner you get near the patient.' Reflects.
027'38"
TRAINING STRUCTURE
Spent majority of time in wards, learning to relate to people. 'Learned and did at
same time.' Valuable to be learning 'as doing'. Describes.
029'13"
HOME SISTER
Stayed in NURSES' HOME one year. HOME SISTER in charge, responsible for
ensuring students had 'everything they needed ... not sneaking off ... older
motherly sort of person'. REGISTERED NURSE, wore uniform. Always someone
on site. Describes.
030'24"
FLATTING
Flatting at end of first year, six students together. Able to walk to work, one of
girls had a car. Active social life. Describes.
032'01"
EXAMINATIONS
Regular tests throughout training, hospital final examination. Explains.
032'55"
MATERNITY AND COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE
OBSTETRICAL experience, included requirement to deliver a number of babies.
Explains.
Community experience included visiting area with MAORI families at WAHAROA,
DISTRICT NURSE attended to very obese lady. Describes.
034'41"
GRADUATION
Graduation ball, flatmates came but had not completed training. Half class
completed. Describes.
One flatmate had become pregnant, married. MAORI girl moved north,
KAIKOHE, did not complete training, working as community nurse. Describes.
Graduation ceremony attended by parents, MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT,
DOCTOR MEAD presided with MISS HOLLIS, MATRON, MISS MCCUTCHEON,
DEPUTY MATRON, MISS WILSON, TUTOR. Describes.
3
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Mary LEAN
038'11"
PRACTICAL EXAMINATION
MISS MCCUTCHEON took practical exam, nervous, ‘was in the toilet ... she said
... no need to hide in toilet'. Describes.
038'59"
PAY AND CONDITIONS
Pay allowed for rent for flat. 'Conditions were fine ... first pay ... never knew any
better'. Explains.
040'16"
FIRST YEAR STAFF NURSE
Worked for a year as STAFF NURSE, before overseas travel. Some options
where you might work, 'if you were going to stay'. 'Full of importance' as a staff
nurse. Describes.
041'39"
WORKING IN LONDON/PRIVATE NURSING
Travelled to ENGLAND with friend. Had joined ST JOHN'S NURSING AGENCY,
LONDON before left NEW ZEALAND. Started work as soon as arrived in
LONDON, required to do three months night duty. Worked in private homes.
Describes.
Looked after RABBI, 'not allowed to touch him ... my job was to keep his hat
on'. Describes.
Often family looked after person during day, might be given bed to sleep in.
Describes.
Went to GUY'S HOSPITAL, 'told wouldn't last with patient ... went to her home
to help look after her'. Describes.
NEW ZEALAND nurses very popular, 'good reputation'. Describes.
046'45"
BOYFRIENDS
Always managed to have boyfriends, shift work never really interfered. A lot of
social activities were as a group. Describes.
047'54"
RETURNING HOME
Had travelled to ENGLAND on SS NORTHERN STAR, came home on SS ORSOVA
after two and half years. Visited AMERICA, SAN FRANCISCO and LOS ANGELES.
Had flown to NEW YORK, GREYHOUND bus to CALIFORNIA. Stayed with family
friends. Describes.
049'09"
SELECTING A PLACE TO WORK ON RETURN TO NZ
Father's leg injury from WW1 and general health causing some problems. Didn’t
want to work in a big hospital, chose ROTORUA. Father had come to QEH
[QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL] as a war veteran. Felt if father had to come
back would be there, 'applied for position at QEH'. Describes.
051'20"
JOINING QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL
Interviewed by MATRON, at QEH [QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL], MATRON,
young, in role for twelve months. STAFF NURSE job came up unexpectedly.
MATRON 'not a good place for young nurses to stay ... good experience for a
short time'. Employed [1969] and stayed 44 years. Describes.
QEH at time under WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD [1968-1989], later transferred
to BAY OF PLENTY AREA HEALTH BOARD [1989-1993]. Independent company
from 1993]. Explains.
053'50"
QUEEN ELIZABETH NURSING ROLES
MATRON, REI PRESTON-THOMAS, wore veil until day she retired [1989].
4
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Mary LEAN
Explains.
Three wards and CHILD POTENTIAL UNIT, for CEREBRAL PALSY children, where
'all QEH staff did was administer medication to children ... otherwise had own
staff'. Men's ward, women's ward and Ward 4, where occasional joint surgery.
PETER TAPSELL, SURGEON. Describes.
As STAFF NURSE did rostered shift work 'with SISTER MCALLISTER in Ward 4'.
CHARGE NURSE position in WOMEN’S WARD came vacant. 'Her desk pointed to
the wall ... had to knock if went into her office ... minute I got the job I turned
the desk around'. Describes.
055'54"
QEH NURSING STAFF
Had own Training School for ENROLLED NURSES for a time, one TUTOR, JOAN
WARD. STAFF NURSES, ENROLLED NURSES and NURSE AIDES staffed hospital.
Describes.
Ward 3, women's ward staff included one NIGHT SISTER, CATH GREY, for 30
years. Morning shift would include two STAFF NURSES and three ENROLLED
NURSES or NURSE AIDES. Describes.
057'47"
QEH PATIENTS
Patients came from all over NEW ZEALAND. Heavy nursing, patients quite
disabled. Patients with ACUTE ARTHRITIS on bed-rest with all limbs in DUTHIE
SPLINTS, 'four hourly nursing cares ... one leg out of plaster at a time ... very
intensive nursing ... learned on the job'. Describes.
HIP REPLACEMENT once a month. 'Very early days of joint replacements.’ MR
McDONALD, SURGEON went to SCOTLAND to learn how to do elbow joint
replacements. Describes.
Patients came for on average six weeks, 'rules about letting people out for
weekend ... knew that women would go home ... come back exhausted ... they
had come to learn about their ARTHRITIS ... how to manage it ... treatment ...
spas and physio ... mud and hot pools and massage... fine line between helping
them to be independent and not being too helpful'. Details.
Learned from staff who had been there longer and from patients, 'always ask
the patient ... enabling the patient to look after self'. Describes.
061'31"
END OF FILE 1
5
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Mary LEAN
Recorded:
Interviewer:
Abstracter:
Equipment type:
3 JUL 2013
Margaret Horsburgh
Margaret Horsburgh
Fostex FR- 2LE Digital
Recorder
File: 2 of 2
000'03"
INTRODUCTION TO FILE 2
000'33"
WARD SISTER AND MATRON
SISTER's UNIFORM white with brown shoes and stockings, white cap, two red
stripes on shoulder. 'MATRON stickler for uniforms ... for dress code ... loved
the patients ... visited every single patient every day ... started at 4pm ... at
dining room she was last person the plate went past before it went to the
patient'. Very caring environment. Describes.
003'01"
ROLES CHANGE
Became 'MATRON person', when REI PRESTON-THOMAS retired [1989]. Titles
changed, NURSE MANAGER from 1991. Explains.
004'12"
MATRON'S UNIFORMS RULES
During period when MATRON, 'laid low ... had suite of rooms in NURSES'
HOME... would go over every day to report to her', eventually persuaded her
that nurses could wear sandals in summer, 'could move into sandals at Labour
weekend ... shoes and stockings back on at EASTER'. Never allowed to take
hats off, stayed in hats until MATRON retired. Describes.
Kept white uniforms for some time. Explains.
006'02"
QEH NURSING IN THE 1980s
Heavy physical nursing, intact skin very important. Patients with wounds not
allowed in pools. Describes.
Men given stout every night. Long medication rounds, iron tablets for people
with low HAEMAGLOBIN, everyone VITAMIN B and VITAMIN C. Describes.
007'33"
DOCTORS
RHEUMATOLOGISTS in charge of patient treatment, DR ROSE, Dr HOWES, DR
CONLON, DR ISDALE. MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT with three
RHEUMATOLGISTS. HOUSE SURGEONS, MEDICAL REGISTRARS came from
PUBLIC HOSPITAL on rotation. Describes.
008'03"
PATIENT SELF-MEDICATION
Introduced patient self-management of medication, patients continuing to take
own medication when came into hospital. With accreditation of hospitals,
[1980s], QEH was REHABILITATION UNIT for ROTORUA HOSPITAL, 'major
problem with self-medication ... thorough examination of processes ... rules
around patient understanding'. Describes.
010'07"
PATIENT TREATMENT REGIMES
Patients had education about condition; emphasis was self-management,
combination of exercise and spa treatment. Describes.
History of hospital based on rehabilitation of soldiers after WW1, DR WALLIS,
'everyone should have opportunity to return to life ... as contributing member of
society'. 'Haven for people to re-group in safety and security ... feel able to get
6
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Mary LEAN
back out into world ... philosophy has continued.' Details.
012'04"
NATIONAL CENTRE
NATIONA L CENTRE for ARTHRITIS, few patients from SOUTH ISLAND, wide
age range, did not treat children less than 15 years. Modern thinking. Describes.
012'44"
TEAM WORK
Nursing required understanding how people managed with adverse conditions,
long-term problems, and ‘met amazing people'. Team approach to caring,
‘ARTHRITIS affects every waking moment ... physical... emotional ...
relationships ... whole person.' Describes.
Multi-disciplinary team included NURSES, DOCTORS, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS,
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS,
SOCIAL WORKERS/COUNSELLORS/PSYCHOLOGISTS. On-site ORTHOTIC or
BOOT-MAKER. Describes.
Many staff worked at QEH for long periods. Explains.
014'20"
UNCERTAIN TIMES
MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT died suddenly while overseas [1982], DR ISDALE,
resulted in management crisis, ROTORUA HOSPITAL took over management
briefly, then BAY OF PLENTY AREA HEALTH BOARD, treatments for ARTHRITIS
improving and QEH deemed redundant. Describes.
Management and leadership structure changed. MATRON resigned. Mary
employed as NURSE MANAGER. Many changes. Describes.
017'09"
HANDS AROUND THE HOSPITAL
BAY OF PLENTY AREA HEALTH BOARD decreed that hospital would close.
Community rallied, group of TAURANGA DOCTORS planned a 'joint venture with
community trust'. Ten trustees appointed including four from local council, one
trustee from NGATI WHAKAUE, tribal owners of land, one trustee from each of
ARTHRITIS NEW ZEALAND, the patient's association, ROTORUA
RHEUMATOLGISTS, ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS and one from the staff.
Describes.
018'32"
Q E HOSPITAL LTD
Private company formed [1993] with funding from contracts with REGIONAL
HEALTH AUTHORITY. Explains.
DOCTOR JEREMY JONES, MEDICAL Head of QEH from late 1980s led 'thinking
outside the square'. Describes.
019'02"
TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS HAS CHANGED
Medications for INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS has improved, people no longer in
bed for long periods, splints rarely used, patients in hospital for short periods of
time. Joint surgery increasing. 'Get people going quicker.' Describes.
020'20"
PATIENT SELF-MANAGEMENT
Programme of patient self-management applied to chronic pain management.
Describes.
Contract with ACC [ACCIDENT COMPENSATION CORPORATION] MDPP, multidisciplinary persistent pain programme. Patients came from wide area.
Describes.
021'07"
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Pain management principle, 'enabling people to cope'. 'QE is an education
7
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Mary LEAN
centre.' Describes.
021'33"
STAFFING PATTERNS
REGISTERED NURSES continued to make up workforce, smaller number.
Compare to 1970s 'busiest time ... people would leave relatives while they went
off on holiday ... no-one ever had CHRISTMAS DAY off'. Describes.
022'26"
NURSE MANAGER
Environment important, made to feel homely, secure, important to maintain
environment. Describes.
As NURSE MANAGER role did not change, patients remained main purpose. Did
employ the nursing staff, had a budget to work to. Describes.
023'48"
NURSING HAS CHANGED
Focus for nursing 'caring', some of this lost now. Reflects.
024'33"
NURSE TITLES
Titles constantly changed, ACTING PRINCIPAL NURSE, NURSE MANAGER,
PATIENT CARE CO-ORDINATOR. Various 'manager persons' have decided on
different titles. 'Always RHEUMATOLOGY NURSE to my mind ... had own clinic'.
Describes.
Strong education role with patients. Describes.
025'32"
ARTHRITIS NURSE EDUCATION
Nurses come from wide geographic to learn, stay a week. QEH unique situation
with in-patients. Few RHEUMATOLOGY beds in DHBs [DISTRICT HEALTH
BOARDS]. Describes.
Nurses mostly came from areas where RHEUMATOLOGISTS had private
practices, employed nurses, or where a specialist nurse employed in hospital.
Describes.
026'48"
UNIFORMS
Uniforms changed, mid 1990s, expectation that NURSE MANAGER would wear
something distinct, tops and skirts, 'Begonia print.' Describes.
028'35"
WORKING AND FAMILY LIFE
Married 1982, continued through marriage to work full-time. Nursing and family
life can accommodate both. Reflects.
029'47"
REDUNDANCY
QEH struggled to remain sustainable with funding structures and contractual
arrangements. Closed in-patient ward, patients stay in motel and attend as day
patients. Describes.
'Furious at decision ... stalked into Manager's office ... you cannot make me
redundant ... offered part-time work ... couldn't contemplate the patients
staying in a motel'. Describes.
033'08"
REFLECTIONS ON CAREER
'Loved every minute ... seen huge changes ... in way ARTHRITIS treated ... all
for the better.' Reflects.
Focus now on money, previously 'money never thought of '. Reflects.
Nurses now have a lot of technical knowledge, 'skills taught as junior nurses ...
all about the patient ... talking to the patient ... listen to them'. Describes.
'Have had luxury of having time ... can help people so much more ... talk to
8
NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s
Abstract
Mary LEAN
them.' Describes.
036'42"
WORKING WITH NEW GRADUATES/STUDENTS
Student nurse placements came from WAIARIKI [POLYTECHNIC], few wanted to
come to work with RHEUMATOLOGY long-term patients, name of placement
changed. Describes.
038'42"
END OF FILE 2
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