Bucking the System: Women in the Health
Sciences at the University of Iowa, 1874 - 1950

The History of Nursing

Early History of Nursing

In the early years, nursing students were expected to perform a wide range of tasks in the hospital. Besides caring for patients, they were responsible for all the cleaning, including mopping and waxing the floors of the wards and hallways. The conduct of the young ladies was monitored as well. Emma Randell, one of the students of the first class of the School of Nursing, remembers, "[We were] fined 50 cents if we left pins in our clothes when we sent [them] to the laundry, and we were not allowed to talk in the halls or read mail when on duty. Neither were we permitted to talk with the patients." The first class of five students graduated from the School of Nursing in 1900 after two years of training.

First Graduating Class, School of Nursing 1900 The first class of five graduated from the School of Nursing in 1900. Miss Jennie Cottle, the first director of the School of Nursing, is wearing black. The students are (from left to right): Laura Long Williams, Mary Holden Lamb, Olive Howie Ray, Emma Thomas, and Antonia Epeneter.

8.Courtesy of Heritage Room Collection, University of Iowa College of Nursing

School of Nursing Admission Requirements
As outlined in a 1908 State University of Iowa Training School for Nurses guide, young women had to meet many requirements to be eligible for admission to the program.

The acceptable age for Candidates is from 22 to 32 (other ages not excluded) average height and weight. A thorough English education is essential, and women of superior education and cultivation will be preferred.

The applicant should have two responsible persons (not relatives) write letters, (directly to the Superintendent of Training School) testifying to her good moral character, and she should enclose with her answers to the paper of questions, a letter from a physician and dentist stating that she is in sound health.

The Training School Committee in conjunction with the superintendent of the Training School will decide as to the fitness of applicants for the work, and the propriety of retaining or dismissing them. They can also, with the approval of the board, discharge a pupil at any time in case of misconduct, inefficiency, or neglect of duty.

Those who prove satisfactory will be accepted as pupils after signing an agreement to the effect that they promise to remain 36 months in the school, and during that time to faithfully obey the rules of the School and Hospital, and to be subordinate to the authorities governing the same.

1908 S.U.I. Training School for Nurses guide courtesy of Heritage Room Collection, University of Iowa College of Nursing

9. Westlawn 1928 In 1920 the nursing students moved across the river to their new home in Westlawn. To a large extent, this removed them from the influences and activities of the rest of the campus. This view of Westlawn, from the east, shows Highway 6 just under construction at the rear of the nurses' home. UIHC Medical Museum

The College of Nursing In 1949, the School of Nursing became the College of Nursing and brought about significant change in the quality of nursing education at The University of Iowa. Students enrolled in the College of Nursing were given the option of a four-year program that included elective courses in the liberal arts and led to a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. This new program acknowledged the importance of a liberal arts education in nurse's training. 10. Nurses training, demonstration of bed-making while the patient is in the bed c. 1920 Courtesy of The College of Nursing

Students enrolled in the College of Nursing received instruction primarily from the professors and instructors at the College of Nursing and from nurse staff members from the University Hospitals. They gained clinical experience in the University's General, Psychopathic, and Children's Hospitals, the University Hospital School, the Child Welfare Research Station, and in various health agencies in Iowa. The four-year program was fully accredited by the National Nursing Accreditation Service and graduates of the program were then eligible to take the licensing examination to become a registered nurse.

11. Examination Table circa 1910 Courtesy of Craig D. Ellyson, MD

Today the University of Iowa College of Nursing continues to train a large number of nurses. Approximately 230 to 260 nurses graduate from the program each year. The graduates may then take a licensing exam to practice nursing, or, as an increasing number of graduates are doing, continue their education to earn a Masters and/or PhD degree.

Obstetrical Forceps Forceps were designed to extract the fetus by the head from the maternal passages without injury to it or the mother. Before the mid-eighteenth century, childbirth was strictly woman's domain. The forceps, invented by Peter Chamberlen (1560-1631,) did not come into general use until 1728. Until that time, the design of the instrument was carefully guarded by the Chamberlen family. With the widespread introduction of the forceps, however, men began to assist in delivery and take an active part in the medical supervision and examination of women. Further, male physicians used the technology to discourage female midwives in their pursuit of a career in obstetrics. They claimed that women lacked the physical strength to handle obstetrical forceps properly.

12. Obstetric and Surgical Bag circa 1900-1945 Physician's bag comprised of an upper compartment for instruments and medicines and a lower compartment containing a copper sterilizer. A tray fitting inside the copper box held the instruments during sterilization. Courtesy of The University of Iowa College of Medicine Ether or Chloroform Inhaler circa 1900 This device allowed self-administration of ether or chloroform during childbirth. After a woman inhaled the drug, the weight of the instrument would cause it to fall away from her nose. UIHC Medical Museum Gift of Richard J. Steves, MD, 1983 Simpson's Obstetrical Forceps circa 1880 Developed in 1848 by Dr. James Simpson of Edinburgh, these forceps were a combination of earlier features. He retained the finger rests and deep finger depressions in the handle and connected the forceps with a notched joint. UIHC Medical Museum Gift of J. Zerwas, 1986 Used by Dr. Frank Senska in missionary work in Africa

13. Smellie's Obstetrical Forceps circa 1752 English surgeon William Smellie's forceps contained the most advanced pivot lock -- the "English lock." The notches in each stem fit together to lock the instrument. After well over two centuries, Smellie's forceps continue to be the most popular type in Great Britain. Courtesy of the University of Iowa College of Medicine Elliot's Obstetrical Forceps Manufactured by Gelman and Shurtleff, Boston circa 1858 In 1858, Dr. George Elliot of New York designed a set of obstetrical forceps to prevent compression of the fetal head. A sliding screw and pin on the inner surface of one handle kept the blades separated at the proper distance. Courtesy of the University of Iowa College of Medicine