In 2020, Western University celebrates 100 years of nursing education. To mark this milestone, Museum London is presenting an exhibition that explores this in London.The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada Archives participated in this exhibit.
The St. Joseph’s Hospital Training School for Nursing, founded in 1899, formally opened in 1901, but prior to this, practical and theoretical training was given to qualified young ladies, enabling the first class to graduate in 1902. After this date, a systematic course of instruction was established. The Training School was registered with the Regents of the University of the State of New York in 1910, and followed its course of studies, which allowed nurses to be eligible for New York State Board examinations. Registration for graduate nurses in Ontario did not begin until 1923. In 1929, the Training School became affiliated with the University of Western Ontario which had established a nursing school in 1920.
From 1902 until 1973, all the Nursing Superintendents at the school were Sisters of St. Joseph. Nursing Sisters, who were fully qualified academically and by years of practical experience, oversaw the nursing departments. The Sisters did not receive salaries. The medical lecturers were chosen from the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Medicine.
In 1967, St. Joseph’s Regional School of Nursing admitted its first class of students, the beginning of phasing out the Training School. In 1973, the school was transferred to the provincial college system, and in 1970, it became a campus of the Fanshawe College Nursing Program, using the original school’s facilities. In 1977, the operation of St. Joseph’s campus ended.
- Mary Kosta, M.A., M.L.I.S., Congregational Archivist