A one-piece probationer's uniform made from blue and white gingham; dress designed with long sleeves and skirt that falls to mid-calf; three white buttons from neck to waist, one button on waist, two buttons below the waist; no collar or cuffs; two buttons at each wrist; one hip pocket on left sideā¦
A one-piece probationer's uniform made from blue and white gingham; dress designed with long sleeves and skirt that falls to mid-calf; three white buttons from neck to waist, one button on waist, two buttons below the waist; no collar or cuffs; two buttons at each wrist; one hip pocket on left side; slight v-neck design around neck; collar button still attached at back of collar; name tag also appears at back of collar.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Owned and used by Nora Valleau, Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing graduate Class of 1928.
Valleau's first year at Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing
Material
fabric: white; blue
plastic: white
Inscriptions
On inside collar: "Nora Valleau"
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0007
0007 Closet A
Length
107.0 cm
Width
72.5 cm
Depth
0.4 cm
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Dimension Notes
Length 107.0 cm. x Width 72.5 cm. x Depth 0.4 cm.
Condition Remarks
Fabric is in good condition; still starched; no fraying of seams; buttons securely attached; 5 mm round hole on front skirt 10.5 cm below waistline and 12 cm from left side seam; on waistband at back is a pulled white thread 11.8 cm from right side
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Documents
Other
Reference Comments
"Information Re KGH Nursing Uniforms" by Marilyn Boston
"KGH Nursing Alumni Memorabilia" by Marilyn Boston
"Oral History Transcript for Nora Valleau" by Rona Rustige
Research Facts
Probationary students' uniforms that were first worn by Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing students. Probationers' uniforms were always distinguished from regular student nurse's uniforms; in Valleau's time, "probies" wore blue-and-white gingham uniforms with a white apron worn over top; cuffs were 13.5 cm long; with this uniform were worn black boots and stockings; between 1886 and 1974, the Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing uniforms were modified 6 times (1886, 1900, 1906, 1924, 1939, and 1967); black shoes and stockings were required because it was felt that the probationers were unable to keep themselves clean enough to wear white; probationary period included the first 3 months of nursing school.
Exhibit History
To exhibit: "For Service to Humanity", Nursing Gallery: restored Room 1016, Museum of Health Care, 13 Nov. 2008.