The Nightingale Training School Probationer Records Saint Thomas Hospital London
The Nightingale Training School Records, held at Saint Thomas's Hospital London, are a fascinating archive that give information about probationers such as their full names, age, status of being married, single or widowed, dates of attendance and notes such as their character and where they next nursed or why they resigned or were dismissed. The NTS opened on 9th July 1860.
For example, we can see that Elizabeth Wheldon was single and aged 42, attended from the dates 14.07.68 to 22.11.69 and then worked at Netley RVH as Linen Sister and died April 1909. Other nurses who went on to serve at Netley include, Jane S. Kennedy who was 30 and attended from 25.11.68 to 22.11.69 who then became a Sister. The graduates were encouraged to spread their wings far and many served throughout Britain and overseas, often rising to positions of Sister and Matron.
There was little space on the register, though some nurses records supply extra details of their career such as those for Jessie S. Lennox who was 29 at the time of attendance from 30.04.63 to 26.06.69 and then nursed at St. Thomas's Hospital, Netley, Belfast and died in Edinburgh in '33.
They give a fascinating insight into the coded language of the era. For example, Margaret W. Wilkie attended from 28.02.63 to 23.08.63 and resigned and was considered Much too delicate whilst Angelina M. Burslem was aged 36 and married, she attended from 08.07.64 to 01.09.64 and was Dismissed. Indolent and not trustworthy.
The remarks for Isabella S. Ingle who was aged 35 and single and attended for a short time from 25.02.74 to 30.03.74 seem rather harsh, though will have been the norm to write in those times! She was described as, Deficient in both mental and physical capacity.
Married women rarely nursed, so in most cases with the M designation, they are presumed to have been abandoned by their husband. Others were forced to leave upon marriage, and this can be seen in the records of Alice S. Hubble aged 31 who attended from 08.07.65 to 29.09.65 and then went to Swansea Infirmary and left to be married 06.07.67.
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The first Superintendent was Mrs Wardroper and she remained in post until 1887.
The Probationers received their uniforms and board and lodgings and a salary of £10 during the year course. Those who graduated were then known as Nightingales and were afforded the rare opportunity to visit Florence Nightingale in her South Street apartment.
Common abbreviations used include CH (Cottage Hospital), CVH (Convalescent Home), GH (General Hospital), H (Hospital), I (Infirmary) WH (Workhouse), R (Royal), V (Victoria) and STH (St. Thomas's Hospital).
Later records went into greater details and could have included the height and weight of the nurse, the occupation of her father, religion and home address and even references from former employers.
These records can be cross-referenced against the registers of certified nurses and admission registers.
1907 nurses received the year training up to the year 1903.
The Nightingale Training School probationer records can be accessed from the archivist at the London Metropolitan Archives at The Florence Nightingale Museum at www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/enquiries-and-research
The history of the formation of the Nightingale Training School can be read on the History of Army Nursing and the QA's page.
The Nightingale Training School, the oldest nursing school, evolved over the decades and is now named The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, now based at King's College, London.
See also:
Lady with the Lamp Florence Nightingale - Turkish fanoos lantern.
Florence Nightingale Museum St Thomas' Hospital London
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