Polk Co. IAGenWeb

Iowa Lutheran Hospital's school of Nursing began in 1914, the same year the hospital opened its doors to the community. Many members of that first class simply showed up on the front steps; young, caring, eager. As nurses in training, these young girls were required to do everything...cook meals, change beds, wash floors, give baths, and provide twice daily back rubs to all the patients! Their on-the-job training filled 10 to 12 hours of each day. Doctor's lectures and other studies fill the rest of their waking hours. Social time was almost non-existent. Some, from out of town, saw their families only once or twice during the three years of training.

Many of these details would change over the years. (Some, I might add, more than others!) But one thing never changed. For the next 64d years, Iowa Lutheran Hospital's School of Nursing turned out nurses recognized throughout the country as being second to none. Students with suffcient desire and self-discipline emerged after three years with their long-sought prize: a nursing diploma. And with it came the proud distiinction of being an Iowa Lutheran Hospital nurse.

In this crucible of high ideals, impossible hours and hard work, friendships were forged that would last a lifetime. These friendships are what this diretory is all about.

We have taken many different paths since our nursing school days. But as I looked through some of the questionnaires, I was amazed at the similarity of our memories. Whether you graduated in 1932 or 1972, the trials and triumphs of those years remain the same. The first baby you helped deliver; the day you recieved your cap; sunning on the room; picnics along the river; the footsteps of the housemother; and of course, all the hopes and dreams you shared with your classmates. These are the memories that bind us together. Good memories. I hope this book brings many more.

Nellie Osterlund, December 1994

CONT'D==> Part 2, Class Lists 1917-1950