Interviews with some special nurses
I am going to type up some interviews given to well known nurses of KSB These were published for the KSB all class reunion several years ago
In Memory of Carrie Kreger Belcher Levi Class graduate of 1930 Interviewed by Judy (Johnson) Reubin /class of 1964 . Virginia Deardorf, a 1929 KSB graduate, inspired her cousin Carrie Kreger to become a nurse. Carrie, the youngest of 14 children graduated from KSB School of Nursing in 1930. Her Aunt Lelia Deardorf made all the student uniforms.
To be admitted to KSB's School of Nursing you needed to be a HS graduate. You could enter school right out of HS , however you were not allowed to take state boards until 22 years of age. It was necessary for Carrie to wait two years after she graduated before she could take the exam. Three students graduated out of her class of fourteen.
Work hours were twelve hour shifts ; 7 am - 7 pm or 7pm to 7 am. Students worked 6 1/2 days a week. Staff physicians did the majority of the student teaching. Students spent three months at Michael Reese Hospital for Pediatric training.
There was no admission fee. In fact, students were paid $6.00 per month for the first year, $7.00 per month the 2nd year, and $8.00 per month the third year Students stayed in the nurses dorm supervised by the floor charge nurse. Students were required to be in their rooms by 10 pm. and in bed by 10:30 pm.
What did Carrie remember most about early training and nursing years? Students staffed the hospital floors. Usually just one RN was over the entire hospital. Senior students were in charge of the floors. The nurses were at bedside doing direct care. New fathers brought in clean clothing and diapers to moms and took soiled ones home to wash.
Carrie was one of the KSB's graduates who had vast experience in other fields other than hospital nursing. She was the first RN in Illinois to open and be an administrator of a nursing home. Her Mansion Nursing Home has the distinction of the first nursing home in the nation to have professional nurses around the clock. She served as coordinator Of the Senior Action Center of Springfield, served on the statewide Advisory Committee as an advocate for seniors and attended the White house Conference on Aging in Washington DC for three consecutive decades. Carrie held offices in the American and Illinois Nursing Home Associations.
In 1994 she was recognized for a lifetime achievement in Nursing. Nursing Home Administration and support for senior action programs by former President Ronald Reagan.. Gov Jim Edgar, Sec State , George Ryan, Sen Todd Sieben and Dixon Mayor Don Sheets. Gov Edgar proclaimed a September Sunday as Carrie Levi Day in Illinois and Mayor Sheets presented her with a key to the city. At that time she was recognized for 64 years of dedication and service.
Judy states that Carrie was a delight to interview.She spent the entire afternoon listening to her and looking at all her memories. Carrie said she was looking forward to attending the KSB all class reunion, but sadly , she passed away May7, 1997 at the young age of 87
A Salute to you , Miss Carrie !
I am going to type up some interviews given to well known nurses of KSB These were published for the KSB all class reunion several years ago
In Memory of Carrie Kreger Belcher Levi Class graduate of 1930 Interviewed by Judy (Johnson) Reubin /class of 1964 . Virginia Deardorf, a 1929 KSB graduate, inspired her cousin Carrie Kreger to become a nurse. Carrie, the youngest of 14 children graduated from KSB School of Nursing in 1930. Her Aunt Lelia Deardorf made all the student uniforms.
To be admitted to KSB's School of Nursing you needed to be a HS graduate. You could enter school right out of HS , however you were not allowed to take state boards until 22 years of age. It was necessary for Carrie to wait two years after she graduated before she could take the exam. Three students graduated out of her class of fourteen.
Work hours were twelve hour shifts ; 7 am - 7 pm or 7pm to 7 am. Students worked 6 1/2 days a week. Staff physicians did the majority of the student teaching. Students spent three months at Michael Reese Hospital for Pediatric training.
There was no admission fee. In fact, students were paid $6.00 per month for the first year, $7.00 per month the 2nd year, and $8.00 per month the third year Students stayed in the nurses dorm supervised by the floor charge nurse. Students were required to be in their rooms by 10 pm. and in bed by 10:30 pm.
What did Carrie remember most about early training and nursing years? Students staffed the hospital floors. Usually just one RN was over the entire hospital. Senior students were in charge of the floors. The nurses were at bedside doing direct care. New fathers brought in clean clothing and diapers to moms and took soiled ones home to wash.
Carrie was one of the KSB's graduates who had vast experience in other fields other than hospital nursing. She was the first RN in Illinois to open and be an administrator of a nursing home. Her Mansion Nursing Home has the distinction of the first nursing home in the nation to have professional nurses around the clock. She served as coordinator Of the Senior Action Center of Springfield, served on the statewide Advisory Committee as an advocate for seniors and attended the White house Conference on Aging in Washington DC for three consecutive decades. Carrie held offices in the American and Illinois Nursing Home Associations.
In 1994 she was recognized for a lifetime achievement in Nursing. Nursing Home Administration and support for senior action programs by former President Ronald Reagan.. Gov Jim Edgar, Sec State , George Ryan, Sen Todd Sieben and Dixon Mayor Don Sheets. Gov Edgar proclaimed a September Sunday as Carrie Levi Day in Illinois and Mayor Sheets presented her with a key to the city. At that time she was recognized for 64 years of dedication and service.
Judy states that Carrie was a delight to interview.She spent the entire afternoon listening to her and looking at all her memories. Carrie said she was looking forward to attending the KSB all class reunion, but sadly , she passed away May7, 1997 at the young age of 87
A Salute to you , Miss Carrie !
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