Corporate body

The Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing

1912-1974

The Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing was founded in 1912, with the opening of the Wellesley Hospital. It graduated its first class of nurses in 1915. From the beginning, the Wellesley Hospital depended upon its student nurses - they provided the majority of nursing care for the patients in the early years of the hospital. Because of the small size on the Hospital (72 beds), the Nursing students did training at a variety of different hospitals to augment their training. One such relationship was with the Manhatten Maternity Hospital where they were sent for obstetrical training. This relationship lasted from 1915 to 1919 when Wellesley's obstetrical unit was large enough for adequate training of its own nurses. In 1923 the Ontario government registered the Wellesley school, along with other larger schools in Toronto. This meant the Wellesley Nurses could apply for qualification of Registered Nurse.

The school was run by Elisabeth Grace Flaws. She was also the Hospital Superintendent. This dual position would continue until 1967, when the roles were split into 2 positions. Miss Flaws stayed in this position until 1926. After her retirement, her position was filled by numerous women including Ida B. Smith (1926-1928), Jane McAfee, and Gladys A. Brandt. In 1929, Gertrude Ross was appointed superintendent. She worked in this role until 1937, when she was replaced by Elsie K. Jones. Miss Jones was superindendent until 1964, when she was succeeded by E. Dorothy (Dot) Arnot, who had acted as her assistant from 1948 until 1964. In 1967, the role was divided into 2 positions. Dot Arnot became Assistant Administrator (nursing and food services) and Dorothy L. Eden became director of Nursing Education.

The school's curriculum was subject to change as well. There were 3 major changes in curriculum. The first occurred in 1942, when nursing theory and nursing practice were correlated. The second change occurred in 1956 when the 2 year course changed to a 2 year academic program plus one year internship on the wards. The final change occurred in 1970 when the course was made 2 years with the third year interns were paid for their work and able to live outside of the Nursing residence.

The Nursing school remained in operation until 1973 when it amalgameted with Ryerson Polytechnical Institute School of Nursing. The Wellesley satellite site remained open until 1975, when the last class of Wellesley nurses graduated.

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