Nurses' duties in 1887

 The following job description was given to floor nurses by a hospital in 1887:

In addition to caring for your 50 patients, each nurse will follow these regulations:

     1.  Daily sweep and mop the floors of your ward, dust the patient's furniture and windowsills.
 
     2.  Maintain an even temperature in your ward by bringing in a scuttle of coal for the day's business.
 
     3.  Light is important to observe the patient’s condition. Therefore, each day fill kerosene lamps, clean chimneys and trim wicks. Wash the windows once a week.
 
     4.  The nurse's notes are important in aiding the physician's work. Make your pens carefully; you may whittle nibs to your individual taste.
 
     5.  Each nurse on day duty will report every day at 7 a.m. and leave at 8 p.m except on the Sabbath on which day you will be off from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
 
     6.  Graduate nurses in good standing with the director of nurses will be given  an evening off each week for courting  purposes or two evenings a week  if you  go regularly to church.
 
     7.  Each nurse should lay aside from each pay  day a goodly sum of her  earnings  for her benefits during her declining  years so that she will not become  a  burden. For example, if you earn $30 a month you should set aside $15.
 
     8.  Any nurse who smokes, uses liquor in any form, gets her hair done at a beauty shop, or frequents dance halls will give the director of nurses good reason to suspect her worth, intentions and integrity.
 
     9.  The nurse who performs her labours and serves her patients and doctors without fault for five years will be given an increase of five cents a day, providing there are no hospital debts outstanding.

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