Madison General Hospital School of Nursing Records, 1925-1982


Summary Information
Title: Madison General Hospital School of Nursing Records
Inclusive Dates: 1925-1982

Creator:
  • Madison General Hospital School of Nursing (Wis.)
Call Number: Mss 742; Micro 1131; Tape 1198A; PH 3787; PH 3787 (3)

Quantity: 14.8 c.f. (26 archives boxes and 5 record center cartons), 1 reel of microfilm (35mm), 1 tape recording, 10 photographs, and 85 transparencies

Repository:
Archival Locations:
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:
Records, mainly 1966-1982, of the Madison General Hospital School of Nursing, a diploma school of nursing in Madison, Wisconsin, that operated from 1902 to 1982, and a few records of the hospital with which it was associated. Nursing school records include historical materials (some of which are available only on microfilm) and files on accreditation, administration, courses, faculty, organizations, the registrar, students and alumni. Administrative files include annual reports (1954-1982); minutes and related papers for committees on admissions, curriculum, planning, and other topics; correspondence, memoranda, and reports of the director and the assistant director; and budgets, monthly management reports (1964-1979), and files on grants especially grants concerning the school specialization on gerontology. Extensive course materials, 1976-1982, consist of course descriptions, handouts, and examinations. The faculty records include files on committees and minutes, contracts, and reference material concerning affiliation with the Wisconsin Nurses Association and the United Professionals for Quality Health Care. Files from the registrar's office include an index to the microfilmed student transcripts held by Meriter-Madison General Hospital. Other student records include information on alumni activities, questionnaires, and printed material.

Note:

There is a restriction on access to part of this material; see the Administrative/Restriction Information portion of this finding aid for details.



Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mss00742
 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

Biography/History

The school of nursing operated by Madison General Hospital opened its doors to six students in 1902 and graduated its first class in 1904. However, evidence of a nursing school stretches back to 1899, the second year of MGH's existence, when financial records of the hospital list two “pupil nurses” who were paid $8.00 and $4.00 per month, although they were offered no formal nursing instruction. The original name of the school was the Madison General Hospital Training School for Nurses, and the curriculum concentrated solely on practical experience rather than theory.

Students were in 1902 to be “women of a high degree of ability, education, and refinement to serve the patients and physicians of Madison General Hospital,” and strict rules and regulations for students in the school were established. After a preparatory period the student began clinical training in the hospital. Student nurses were paid $8.00 a month.

In 1905 a committee of women was established to examine the curriculum. This group decided that a three year program of instruction would be more appropriate for the school. This was finally implemented in 1912, and it resulted in the establishment of formal classroom and laboratory facilities for theoretical instruction. In 1921 the first full-time instructor of nursing, Ethel Odegard, was hired. The following year the word “training” was dropped, and the name became Madison General Hospital School of Nursing. Other nursing school directors of the era were Grace Crafts and Ida Collings. After 1926, the nursing school began affiliations with other medical institutions in Milwaukee, Chicago and Madison in order to provide broader clinical experience.

Because of the Depression, the school was forced to close its doors in 1937. Housing conditions of students had become overcrowded, and inadequate teaching facilities also plagued the school. A decline in the number of patients at Madison General also required fewer staff nurses. However, the onset of World War II brought an acute need for qualified nursing personnel. With funds provided by the McConnell estate, the City of Madison, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Madison General Hospital was able to construct a nurses' residence and classroom known as McConnell Hall. At the request of the State Board of Health and the medical staff of MGH, the school reopened in September, 1943 and operated a three year diploma program as a member of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps until October, 1945.

In 1945 admission requirements were raised to match those of the University of Wisconsin, and students took several required science courses at the University. In 1954 the nursing school was separated from the nursing service department of MGH and labeled the nursing education department. A modification in the curriculum in 1963 required first year students to obtain a strong liberal arts foundation at the institution of their choice and then to attend the Madison General Hospital School of Nursing for two years of clinical experience. In 1969 the school received a $250,000 grant from HEW to build an addition to McConnell Hall.

Due to declining enrollment, competition from four year nursing degree programs, the high costs of nursing education, and decreasing federal funds, the Board of Directors voted to close the school. The school officially closed after graduation in 1982, having graduated over 2400 nurses during its 80-year history. Madison General Hospital continued its ties to nursing education with a four year nursing program offered through Edgewood College.

Scope and Content Note

The records of the Madison General Hospital School of Nursing are divided into two series: materials originating from the hospital and records created by the school of nursing. For both, the period 1966-1982 is well documented, but there are virtually no records for earlier years. Files in the collection containing information that is considered confidential under provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is restricted until 2042 and has been separately boxed. This material may be used, however, by researchers who certify in writing to the Archives that they will not release any personally identifiable information.

MADISON GENERAL HOSPITAL records (1973-1982) include committee materials and management directives that affected the school of nursing and a few printed items published by MGH.

MGH SCHOOL OF NURSING (1925-1982) files are much more extensive and include the following subseries: historical materials, accreditation, administration, course materials, faculty, organizations, registrar, and students and alumni.

Historical materials include histories of the school, microfilmed scrapbooks, the originals of which are in the possession of Meriter-Madison General Hospital, and a slide show and tape describing the school's history from 1903 to 1975.

Accreditation files (1925-1982) include correspondence, questionnaires, and reports to the National League of Nursing and to the State of Wisconsin, as well as the results of visits and site inspections.

Administration records (1954-1982) are quite extensive and include annual reports, committee minutes and related materials, files of the director and assistant director, and financial records. The best documented committees are admission and promotion, advisory committee on nursing education, curriculum, and long term planning. Portions of the admissions and promotion committee are restricted, as are letters of reference which may be found in the assistant director's files. Financial records include budgets, inventories, monthly management reports, and grants awarded by HEW to study gerontological nursing and by the Helen Fuld Foundation.

Course materials, mainly 1977-1982, constitute the largest subseries in the collection. The files are arranged by level, and include course descriptions and objectives, handouts, examinations, and evaluation forms. The best documented of the twelve course are the introductory, medical-surgical, mental health, administration, and professional responsibilities courses. In addition to the course materials, school catalogs, films, and lists of required textbooks have also been grouped here.

Faculty files (1952-1984) include committee files such as faculty organization, faculty/student, in-service, and lead instructors; handbooks and orientation materials; and personnel records. The personnel records, which comprise the bulk of this subseries, include information on benefits, questionnaires, student evaluations (restricted), and a faculty workload study. The union affiliation materials (1976-1984) include committee minutes, contracts, and reference material regarding the possible affiliation of the nursing school staff with the Wisconsin Nurses Association and the United Professionals for Quality Health Care.

The organizations subseries (1976-1982) is comprised of professional organizations with which the school of nursing was affiliated. Most extensive are the files on the National League of Nursing and the Wisconsin Nursing Network.

The registrar's files (1955-1982) include copies of forms and memoranda to students, an index to the microfilmed student transcripts held by Meriter-Madison General Hospital in their payroll department, test scores and rankings (restricted), and scholarship, tuition, and fee information.

Finally, students and alumni records (1926-1982) include alumni activities, freshman orientation, printed materials such as handbooks and yearbooks, materials on student organizations, and questionnaires about alumni and students.

Administrative/Restriction Information
Access Restrictions

Acting under provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Madison General Hospital School of Nursing closed portions of their records until 2042. Researchers may have access to these files (which are indicated in the contents list below), if they sign the Archives' Use of Restricted Material Form certifying that they will not release any personally identifiable information.


Acquisition Information

Presented by the Madison General Hospital School of Nursing, 1981-1983, and by Meriter-Madison General Hospital via Jane Secord, 1988. Accession Number: M81-587, M82-462, M83-240, M88-091


Processing Information

Processed by Anita Taylor and Carolyn J. Mattern, May 1988.


Contents List
Series: Madison General Hospital
Mss 742
Box   1
Folder   1
Budget, 1981
Committees
Box   1
Folder   2
Computer Steering Committee, 1981-1982
Box   1
Folder   3
Linen Utilization Committee, 1981-1982
Box   1
Folder   4
Mini-management Committee, 1980-1982
Box   1
Folder   5
Patient Care Committee, 1977-1980
Box   1
Folder   6
Disaster plans, 1980
Box   1
Folder   7
Employee opinion survey, 1977-1978
Box   1
Folder   8
Hospital accreditation, 1976-1978
Box   1
Folder   9-10
Management meetings (monthly), 1976-1980
Box   2
Folder   1
Management memos, 1977-1981
Nursing Service Department
Box   2
Folder   2
Annual report, 1979
Box   2
Folder   3
Minutes, 1977-1978
Box   2
Folder   4
Printed materials, 1973-1982
Series: MGH School of Nursing
Subseries: Historical materials
Box   2
Folder   5
Histories
Micro 1131
Scrapbooks, 1926-1976
PH 3787
Slide show
Tape 1198A
Tape narrative
PH 3787
Photographs
PH 3787 (3)
Oversize photographs
Mss 742
Subseries: Accreditation
National League of Nursing
Box   2
Folder   6
Accreditation visits, 1953-1979
Box   2
Folder   7
Closing report, 1980
Box   3
Folder   1
Correspondence, 1963-1981
Box   3
Folder   2
Progress report, 1981
Box   3
Folder   3
Questionnaires, 1964-1982
Self-evaluation reports
Box   3
Folder   4-10
1956-1979, pp. 1-199
Box   4
Folder   1
1979, pp. 200-358
State of Wisconsin
Box   4
Folder   2-3
Annual report summaries, 1925-1966
Box   4
Folder   4-7
Annual reports, 1943-1982
Box   5
Folder   1
Correspondence, 1927-1981
Box   5
Folder   2
Extended facilities affiliations
Box   5
Folder   3
Americana, 1977-1978
Box   5
Folder   4
Attic Angels, 1980
Box   5
Folder   5
Madison Division of Public Health, 1980-1981
Box   5
Folder   6
University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1976-1978
Box   5
Folder   7-8
Inspections and surveys, 1925-1945; 1955-1979
Box   6
Folder   1
Monthly reports, 1958-1968
Box   6
Folder   2
Task Force on Articulation, 1978-1979
Subseries: Administration
Box   6
Folder   3-4
Annual reports, 1954-1982
Committees
Admission and Promotion Committee
Box   6
Folder   5
Admission policy revision, 1978
Box   6
Folder   6
Admission questionnaire, 1978
Box   30
Folder   2-3
Correspondence, 1979-1982
Access Restrictions: Closed until 2042; see details above.
Minutes
Box   30
Folder   4-7
1969-1979
Access Restrictions: Closed until 2042; see details above.
Box   31
Folder   1
1980-1982
Access Restrictions: Closed until 2042; see details above.
Box   31
Folder   2
Student appeals, 1981-1982
Access Restrictions: Closed until 2042; see details above.
Transfer school file
Box   6
Folder   7
University of Wisconsin, 1963-1980
Box   6
Folder   8
Other schools, 1980-1981
Advisory Committee on Nursing Education
Box   7
Folder   1-6
1954-1980
Box   8
Folder   1
1981-1982
Advisory Council
Box   8
Folder   2
Closure material, 1979-1981
Box   8
Folder   3
Minutes, 1977-1982
Curriculum Committee
Box   8
Folder   4
Annual reports, 1971-1976
Box   8
Folder   5
Goals and objectives, 1981-1982
Minutes
Box   8
Folder   6-9
1965-1971
Box   9
Folder   1-6
1972-1982
Box   9
Folder   7
Philosophy, 1974-1978
Box   9
Folder   8
Third level completion project, 1980-1981
Executive Committee
Box   10
Folder   1
Minutes, 1976-1977
Box   10
Folder   2
Position descriptions, 1976-1978
Box   10
Folder   3
Handicapped Compliance Committee (504 Committee), 1978-1980
Box   10
Folder   4
Library Committee, 1966-1981
Long Term Planning Committee
Box   10
Folder   5
Correspondence, 1974-1978
Box   10
Folder   6
Minutes, 1976-1977
Box   10
Folder   7-8
Nursing education literature, 1974-1978
Box   11
Folder   1
Planning Task Force, 1976-1978
Box   11
Folder   2
Questionnaires, 1977
Box   11
Folder   3
Miscellaneous committees, 1978-1981
Box   11
Folder   4
National League of Nursing Committee, 1978
Box   11
Folder   5
Primary Nursing Committee, 1977
Director's Office
Director
Correspondence
Box   11
Folder   6
1974-1976
Box   11
Folder   7
1981-1982
Box   11
Folder   8
Interdepartmental memos, 1978-1982
Box   11
Folder   9
Surveys from other institutions, 1976-1980
Assistant director
Box   11
Folder   10
Correspondence, 1979-1982
Box   12
Folder   1
Interdepartmental memos, 1977-1982
Box   30
Folder   1
Letters of reference, 1982
Access Restrictions: Closed until 2042; see details above.
Box   12
Folder   2-3
Weekly reports, 1977-1982
Box   12
Folder   4
Secretarial staff meetings, 1980-1982
Financial records
Box   12
Folder   5
Budgets, 1964-1973
Box   12
Folder   6
Equipment inventories, 1976-1981
Fuld Foundation
Box   12
Folder   7
Contracts, 1974-1978
Box   12
Folder   8
Correspondence, 1973-1982
Box   12
Folder   9
Equipment inventories, 1973-1982
Grants
Capitation grants
Box   13
Folder   1
Proposals denied, 1974-1976
Proposals funded
Gerontology workshops, 1977-1978
Box   13
Folder   2
Proposal and report
Box   13
Folder   3
Wisconsin Nurses Association approval
Workshops
Box   13
Folder   4
Psychologic and physiological
Box   13
Folder   5
Organic brain syndrome
Box   13
Folder   6
Diabetes, arthritis and orthopedics
Box   13
Folder   7
Stroke rehabilitation
Box   13
Folder   8
Questionnaires
Physical assessment workshops, 1978-1979
Box   13
Folder   9
Proposal and report
Box   13
Folder   10
Committee minutes, 1978, Feb.-November
Box   13
Folder   11
Construction grants, 1967-1978
Box   13
Folder   12
Financial reports, 1972-1980
Box   14
Folder   1-2
Monthly management reports, 1969-1979
Box   14
Folder   3
Organizational charts
Subseries: Course materials
Box   15
Folder   1
Catalogs, 1927-1981
Individual course records
Level I
N50-Introduction to Nursing
Box   15
Folder   2
Annual reports, 1971-1978
Box   15
Folder   3
Course description
Box   15
Folder   4
Course objectives
Box   15
Folder   5
Rotation schedules, 1978-1979
Box   15
Folder   6
Skills inventory
Units
Box   15
Folder   7
I
Box   15
Folder   8
II
Box   15
Folder   9
III
Box   15
Folder   10
IV
Box   15
Folder   11
V
Box   15
Folder   12
Instructor's guides
Box   15
Folder   13-17
Examinations, 1973-1979
Box   15
Folder   18
Evaluation form
N51-Medical-Surgical Nursing I
Box   15
Folder   19
Course description and objectives
Box   15
Folder   20
Clinical care plans
Box   15
Folder   21
Clinical unit orientation
Modules
Box   15
Folder   22
Cancer
Box   15
Folder   23
Cardiovascular system
Box   15
Folder   24
Endocrine system
Box   15
Folder   25
Renal system
Box   15
Folder   26
Respiratory system
Box   15
Folder   27
Handouts
Box   15
Folder   28
Examinations, 1977-1978
Box   15
Folder   29
Evaluation forms
S2-Pharmacology
Box   15
Folder   30
Course description and objectives
Box   15
Folder   31
Handouts
Box   15
Folder   32
Examinations, 1977-1978
Level II
N60-Family Centered Perinatal Nursing
Box   15
Folder   33
Course objectives
Box   15
Folder   34
Module IV-High risk newborn
Box   15
Folder   35
Examinations, 1978
Box   15
Folder   36
Evaluation forms
N61-Child Health Nursing
Box   16
Folder   1
Course description and objectives
Modules
Box   16
Folder   2
I-Care of children
Box   16
Folder   3
II-Inflammatory diseases
Box   16
Folder   4
III-Handicapped child
Box   16
Folder   5
IV-Stress in children
Box   16
Folder   6
Examinations, 1975-1979
Box   16
Folder   7
Evaluation forms
N62-Operating Room, Emergency Room, Recovery Room
Box   16
Folder   8
Course description and objectives
Box   16
Folder   9
Examinations, 1977-1981
Box   16
Folder   10
Evaluation forms
N63-Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Box   16
Folder   11
Course description and objectives
Modules
Box   16
Folder   12
Colon cancer
Box   16
Folder   13
Endocrinology
Box   16
Folder   14
Gastroenterology
Box   16
Folder   15
Oncology
Box   16
Folder   16
Patient Care
Box   16
Folder   17-18
Handouts
Box   16
Folder   19-23
Examinations, 1975-1980
Box   16
Folder   24
Evaluation form
N64-Mental Health Nursing
Box   16
Folder   25
Course description and objectives
Box   16
Folder   26
Faculty minutes, 1976-1977
Modules
Box   16
Folder   27
IV-Alcoholism
Box   16
Folder   28
VI-Aggression in adolescents
Box   16
Folder   29
Handouts
Box   16
Folder   30
Readings
Box   17
Folder   1-2
Examinations, 1975-1981
Box   17
Folder   3
Evaluation form
Level III
N70-Medical-Surgical Nursing III
Box   17
Folder   4
Course description and objectives
Box   17
Folder   5
Faculty minutes, 1981
Box   17
Folder   6
Module-the Neurological examination
Box   17
Folder   7-8
Examinations, 1978; 1982
Box   17
Folder   9
Evaluation form
N71-Administration of Patient Care
Box   17
Folder   10
Annual reports, 1968-1976
Box   17
Folder   11
Course description and objectives
Box   17
Folder   12
Faculty minutes, 1981-1982
Box   17
Folder   13
Handouts
Box   17
Folder   14
APEC and information on alcoholism
Box   17
Folder   15
Physical assessment
Box   17
Folder   16
Examinations, 1977-1982
Box   17
Folder   17
Evaluation forms
N72-Gerontological Nursing
Box   17
Folder   18
Course description and objectives
Modules
Box   17
Folder   19
Exercise
Box   17
Folder   20
Eye, ear and sensory deprivations
Box   17
Folder   21
Mental disorders in later life
Box   17
Folder   22
Pharmacology
Box   17
Folder   23
Psycho-social nursing care
Box   17
Folder   24
Sexuality in the aged
N72-Gerontological Nursing
Box   17
Folder   25-26
Examinations, 1978-1982
Box   17
Folder   27
Evaluation forms
P1-Professional Responsibilities
Box   17
Folder   28
Course description and objectives
Box   17
Folder   29
Handouts
Box   17
Folder   30
Examinations, 1974
Box   17
Folder   31-32
Evaluations, 1977-1978
Box   17
Folder   33
Evaluation forms
Box   17
Folder   34
Films requested, 1980-1981
Box   17
Folder   35
Lead instructors' reports, 1979-1981
Box   17
Folder   36
Student rotation schedule, 1930
Box   17
Folder   37
Textbooks required, 1977-1981
Subseries: Faculty
Committees
Faculty Organization
Box   18
Folder   1
Constitution and bylaws, 1959-1978
Box   18
Folder   2
Arguments for school continuance, 1976-1978
Minutes
Box   18
Folder   3
1952-1968
Box   19
1969-1980
Faculty/Student Committee
Box   20
Folder   1
Annual reports, 1950-1981
Box   20
Folder   2-6
Minutes, 1956-1982
In-service Committee
Box   21
Folder   1-3
Minutes, 1959-1981
Box   21
Folder   4
Reference material, 1971-1982
Box   21
Folder   5
Lead Instructors, 1967-1981
Box   21
Folder   6
Conferences/Workshops, 1979-1980
Box   21
Folder   7
Counseling philosophy, 1972-1978
Box   22
Folder   1-2
Handbooks, 1975-1982
Box   22
Folder   3
Orientation packet
Personnel
Box   22
Folder   4
Benefit package, 1975-1979
Box   22
Folder   5
Manager's guide to employee relations, 1979
Box   22
Folder   6-8
Questionnaires, 1976-1978
Box   23
Folder   1
Reference materials, 1966-1982
Box   23
Folder   2
Resume summaries of faculty, 1981
Box   31
Folder   10
Student evaluations of faculty, 1979
Access Restrictions: Closed until 2042; see details above.
Box   23
Folder   3
Workload study, 1975
Union affiliation
Box   23
Folder   4
National Labor Relations Board, 1976-1979
Wisconsin Nurses Association
Box   23
Folder   5
Agreements with, 1977-1979
Contract Negotiations Committee
Box   23
Folder   6
Minutes, 1977-1979
Box   23
Folder   7
Reference material, 1977
United Professionals for Quality Health Care
Box   23
Folder   8
Constitution, 1979
Contracts, agreements, and reference materials
Box   23
Folder   9-10
1979-1981
Box   24
Folder   1-7
1979-1984
Box   24
Folder   8
Contract Negotiations Committee, 1979
Box   24
Folder   9
Correspondence, 1979-1980
Subseries: Organizations
Box   24
Folder   10
American Nurses Association, 1979-1981
Box   25
Folder   1-2
Assembly of Hospital Schools of Nursing
Box   26
Folder   2
Health, Education & Welfare, Department of, 1977-1982
Box   26
Folder   3
Health Planning Council of the Southern Wisconsin Committee on Nursing, 1977
Box   26
Folder   4
Madison Council for Nursing, 1976-1982
Box   26
Folder   5
Madison Inter-Hospital Management Development Program (MIMD), 1976-1980
Box   26
Folder   6
Midwest Alliance in Nursing, 1978-1982
Box   26
Folder   7
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 1980-1982
Box   26
Folder   8-11
National League of Nursing, 1978-1982
Box   26
Folder   12
Statewide Study of Nursing and Nursing Education, 1977-1979
Box   26
Folder   13-14
Wisconsin Association of Diploma Schools of Nursing, (WADSON), 1977-1982
Box   26
Folder   15
Wisconsin Nurses Association, 1976-1980
Wisconsin Nursing Network
Box   26
Folder   16
General file, 1980-1982
Box   26
Folder   17
Member directory, 1981-1982
Box   26
Folder   18
Miscellaneous files, 1977-1982
Subseries: Registrar
Box   27
Folder   1
Forms and memos to students, 1973-1980
Box   27
Folder   2
Index to microfilmed transcripts
Box   27
Folder   3
International students, 1980
Records and results
Box   31
Folder   3
A.C.T. (test) normative data, 1980
Access Restrictions: Closed until 2042; see details above.
Box   31
Folder   4
Class ranks and NLN test scores, 1976-1982
Access Restrictions: Closed until 2042; see details above.
Box   31
Folder   5-6
High school records, 1978; 1981
Access Restrictions: Closed until 2042; see details above.
Box   31
Folder   7
Senior summaries, 1982
Access Restrictions: Closed until 2042; see details above.
Scholarships
Box   31
Folder   8
Awards, 1979-1980
Access Restrictions: Closed until 2042; see details above.
Box   27
Folder   4
Opportunities, 1977-1980
Tuition and fees
Box   27
Folder   5
Budgets, 1955-1982
Box   31
Folder   9
Deferments, 1979-1981
Access Restrictions: Closed until 2042; see details above.
Subseries: Students and Alumni
Box   28
Folder   1
Alumni activities, 1966-1982
Box   28
Folder   2
Employment recruitment days, 1978-1980
Box   28
Folder   3
Freshmen orientation, 1966-1981
Box   28
Folder   4
Graduation programs, 1970-1982
Box   28
Folder   5
McConnell Hall, 1976-1978
Printed materials
Box   28
Folder   6
Handbooks, undated-1980
Box   28
Folder   7-15
Yearbooks, 1926, 1958-1972
Organizations
Student Council
Box   28
Folder   16-17
Minutes, 1967-1982
Box   28
Folder   18
Procedures, 1973-1975
Student Nurses Association
Box   28
Folder   19
Correspondence, 1980-1981
Box   28
Folder   20
Minutes, 1967-1975
Questionnaires
Alumni
Box   28
Folder   21-30
1963-1981
Box   29
Folder   1
1982
Box   29
Folder   2-5
Seniors, 1976-1979
Box   29
Folder   6
Miscellaneous, 1980-1981