St. Marys Hopital, Luton, Beds

A Memory of Luton.

I entered St. Marys Hospital, as a Pupil Nurse on 18/10/1971' to start my Nursing training. My name then was Ann Teresko. All the Nurses in my 'Set' moved into the Nurses Home. I was 20 years old. In the ground, there was our 'school'., which we spent 6 weeks at a time., making notes from our Tutor. There was about 12 Nurses in our set., and we had a 'Home Sister, that lived in a room, at the bottom of the stairs, to our Nursing home. On moving in day we were each allocated a small room, single bed, bedside cabinet, chest of draws and a small wardrobe, and a wash basin. On each of our beds was our Uniform., 3 dresses in green and white strip, buttoned from neck to bottom of dress., which went below our knees. 3 very starched white aprons, and a green and white strip narrow belt. We had to wear skin colour tights, black flat lace up shoes., We each had a black cape with black collar., and the lining of the cape was red, with red straps that crossed over our body, and buttoned at the back, under the cape. We had white Nurses hats that were paper, that we had to clip onto our heads. No hair was allowed to touch our collar. No jewellery, and no make up, and no nail varnish allowed. Short clean nail, was hot on the rules. We had about 4 cubicle baths., with a door and bolt. Down stairs we had a formal Libary. We had a very large sitting room, with armchairs that hadhigh backs and winged sides., and a black and white small TV. In the Kitchen we had a tiny two ringed cooker, with grill. And a large oblong sink to do our washing. Then hanging from the high ceiling, a old fashion laundry dryer. The whole of the Nursing home was very old fashion, but it was home to us. I am still in touch with one of the other Pupil Nurses (Sally Stokes) We often talk about our times as Pupil Nurses. We had a wonderful Matron., who knew everything that took place, whether in the Nursing Home., or everywhere in the Hospital. It was extremely hard work on the wards., and spending 6 weeks at a time, in the 'School'., then 6 weeks on the ward. We had regular exams., that we had to pass, or you where out. We were also sent to the Children's Annexe, for phediactric work, and to Luton and Dunstable Hospital, for Medical and Surgical work. I always loved coming 'home' to St. Marys., and the gathering of our 'Set'. We ate together and Studied together. And become very close friends. My time spent training was The Best Time Of My Life!