Nurses in Training

The final nurses graduation class at Ipswich Hospital in 1992

The first nursing training in Queensland began in 1886 at Brisbane Hospital. Dr Thornton started lectures for senior nurses in Ipswich in 1889 in the subjects of elementary anatomy and physiology, practical nursing and the application of surgical appliances. In January 1890 he reported to the Acting Hospital Committee that four senior nurses had passed these examinations.

The Australasian Trained Nurses’ Association (ATNA) was formed in 1899. Membership was granted only to those who held a certificate from hospitals approved by the Association – Ipswich was one of a few recognised. Graduate nurses could put ATNA after their names. Ipswich was at first a four year training hospital but later upgraded to a three year training hospital. Candidates had to complete a prescribed course in general, surgical and medical nursing, hygiene and invalid cooking and sit written examinations. Invalid cooking was taught at the Ipswich Technical College and practical and oral examinations conducted by Ipswich medical practitioners in general nursing. Initially written examinations were held in Brisbane but after complaints by Dr Thornton that this was disruptive to nurses and the running of the hospital, Ipswich became an approved examination centre in 1907.

In 1912 the Queensland Nurses’ Registration Board was established with state examinations and a common period of three years’ training introduced. Ipswich nurses continued to sit the ATNA exams but Ipswich was registered as a training hospital under the State scheme.

Ipswich Hospital’s last intake of hospital-trained general nurses graduated in July 1992, 100 years after the first Ipswich hospital nurses began their training.