Nursing schools

Lorraine H. Decker Papers

srafferty — Thu, 09 May 2019 16:35:55 -0400

Lorraine (Halsted) Decker graduated from the Grace Hospital School of Nursing in 1956. Decker was a member of the Grace Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association and served as the Social Chairman in the early 1980s. This collection is comprised of some 75th anniversary of the Alumnae Association material and correspondence from her work with the Alumnae Association. The collection also includes two diplomas of Grace nursing graduates, photographs, and publications from School of Nursing and its students.

Grace Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association Records

srafferty — Thu, 09 May 2019 16:43:16 -0400

The Grace Hospital Training School for Nurses was established in 1889, the second nursing school created in Michigan. The first class of nurses graduated in 1891 and the Grace Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association was created in 1899. The Alumnae Association stayed active until at least the early 1980s.

The Alumnae Association Records contain material created by the Alumnae Association including board meeting minutes, by-laws, a guest book from alumni events, newsletters, and scrapbooks. Also included in this collection are materials related to the history of the Grace Hospital School of Nursing and its students. Some historical items include a commencement program from 1917, information booklets on the nursing program, two diplomas from early students, and photographs of nurses and doctors from the early 20th century. Additionally, publications produced by or about Grace Hospital can also be found in these records, such as many issues of the Gracevine and an employee handbook.

Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals Records

scaloia — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 14:37:38 -0400

The Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals (WFNHP) is part of the healthcare division of the American Federation of Teachers. The WFNHP began as the Staff Nurses Council of Milwaukee (SNC), which won the right to represent nurses in 1965. Originally, the SNC was affiliated with the American Nurses Association (ANA), but due in part to the ANA’s reluctance to participate in collective bargaining, the SNC disaffiliated in 1977. In 1979, the SNC began expanding to include medical technologists in Milwaukee County and then professionals in other parts of Wisconsin. That same year, the group chartered with the AFT to become Local 5001 of AFT Nurses & Health Professionals. Nurses from Burlington, Sheboygan, and Dodge Counties soon joined the Milwaukee County nurses to form the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals. The union continued to expand across the state and addressed issues and conditions affecting nurses and their ability to deliver quality care to their patients. The WFNHP successfully fought for higher wages, health and retirement benefits, a reduction in non-nursing duties, improved workplace security, and tuition reimbursement for its members. The union continues to represent registered nurses, LPNs, medical technologists, and others in the health care field working in institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, and correctional facilities.

The Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals Records contain documents from the early days of the SNC and the transition and continued affiliation with the AFT. Major topics include organizing efforts across Wisconsin, bargaining with hospitals and other employing institutions, cases brought to the National Labor Relations Board and other governing bodies, grievances and anti-union incidents, and state and national conventions. Issues specific to nursing are also covered, including staff shortages, hospital closing, mandatory overtime, and patient violence. Document types include correspondence, newsletters, fliers and other handouts, surveys, contracts, meeting minutes, reports, and news clippings.