VPRS 19322 Nurse Training Records

This series comprises records of the nurse training school at Prince Henry’s Hospital (previously known as Melbourne Homoeopathic Dispensary 1869-1876; Melbourne Homoeopathic Hospital 1876-1934) (VA 441). The types of records include lecture notes, nurse certificates and records relating to graduation programs. In 1885, the Melbourne Homoeopathic Hospital accepted its first trainee nurses with the introduction of a training school. The training period was two years. The curriculum was prescribed by the Honorary Medical Staff who lectured twice weekly on Anatomy, Physiology, Hygiene and General Nursing, and conducted examinations at the end of the year. By 1902 the Homoeopathic Hospital was one of the 36 Victorian hospitals registered with the Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association. Trainees undertaking the three year course, including the certificate, had to serve the three years exclusively within the hospital.