Find Ancestors

Please can anyone tell me the Minimum age a Student Nurse would need to be to start her training in the period of 1945-47 in England and what the entry requirements were ?
Thanks Pam

Age was 18 yrs ...Unmarried/Widow no family..Entrance exam or if you came from a priveledged backround you didnt need to take the exam..then again you wouldnt be encouraged to become a nurse if you came from that backround...!!

Many thanks that is really helpfu, also how long would the training be before they qualified Thanks again Pam

You could contact the Royal college of Nursing who has records going back to 1922

The training was 3 years for State registration, then a further year or two for specialising, such as midwifery.

I believe you could start as a nursing cadet at 15 prior to training.
Jan

Oh yes! Don't forget the pupil nurses, who trained for 2 years to become a State Enrolled Nurse. This was a very hands-on role with no prospect of getting a sister's post. A lot of overseas nurses were guided into this training, appropriately or not.
I started training 1978 and there were large numbers of SEN's, who had very little chance of converting to SRN, though a lot went on to train as midwives. This all changed in the 90's and now I think all SEN's have converted or retired.
Jan

Thanks for all your replies they have been most helpful
What would have happened if the Student became pregnant during the training and was unmarried ??
Could they have restarted the training after the child was born if it was adopted from birth??
Thanks Pam

There's no reason why not, but it would depend on the individual school of nursing. Being married was more of a problem!! See:

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/NHS60/Pages/CandyBaker.aspx

As suggested, you would be best to contact the RCN for info.

Jan

I trained from 1947 to1950 and we were then required to stay for one year as a Staff Nurse (a 4 year contract)

You had to be resident.
Marriage not allowed !
Pregnancy - would have meant leaving.

Everyone was full time-there were no part time options.

Edit
Forgot-matriculaion certificate was required

Thanks i will contact RCN Pam

Hi ElizabethK
When you were resident as a Student Nurse did you get entered on electoral register at the Hospital you were at Thanks Pam

Remember people couldn't vote till 21 back then.
Jan

Pamela
I agree with what ElizabethK has posted and pregnancy certainly at my training school the Student had to leave and there was no returning regardless of the outcome of the pregnancy....It was considered as bringing the "Profession into Disrepute" whether she could apply and be accepted to another School of Nursing would be another matter as her "history" would follow her around on futue applications...


If the Student did not disclose her pregnancy and then left that would possibly allow for future re-commencement of her training but not at the original training school again she may have problems finding another who would accept her...

The Rules and Regulations were determined by the Matron !

Is this thread relative to the others posted...
eg...

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/ancestors/thread/1297308

Thanks for all your help.
The person I am tracing was a Student Nurse at the time of having a child in Ju;ly 1947 The child was adopted from Birth. The Student Nurse info is given on the childs Birth certificate. (Born in Wigan Lancashire) No Fathers name given
Thanks Pam