Graduates fondly recall Reid nursing program

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On the 50th anniversary of the graduation of the Reid Memorial Hospital School of Nursing class of 1958, alumni of the school gathered at the old hospital one last time.

The new Reid already was well under construction, but the women wanted to savor their time at 1401 Chester Blvd., the hospital not only where they were students, but where many were professionals.

Alumnae came from as close as Richmond and as far away as California. Each received a miniature handmade nurse's cap with the school's logo.

On that day, alumna Phyllis Beard said, "It seemed right that the whole era would end here."

Beard, a Greens Fork resident, spent 50 years in the hospital's corridors and patient rooms -- three years in the nursing school and 47 years working in the hospital.

Reid Memorial Hospital began offering nursing training in 1904, merging its program with one begun in 1899 at Richmond's first hospital, St. Stephen's Hospital.

Between 1901 and 1958, the school of nursing graduated more than 500 women.

Early on, students lived in Rupe Hall, a home adjacent to Reid Memorial Hospital until 1928, when Jenkins Hall was constructed.

An alumna of the class of 1925 said that she was paid $8 a month during the first year of training, $9 a month the second year and $12 a month during the third year.

The students' dress and appearance were regulated and, for many years, students could not be married. In the 1940s, marriage was permitted only during the last six months of training.

Many changes came during the 1950s, with the school's three-year program evolving into a four-year bachelor of science degree with additional courses taught at Earlham College.

In 1953, admission was granted for African-American students and in 1956, admission was approved for male students.

Finally, in 1958, the school graduated its last class after its contract with Earlham College was complete. The board cited a sharp decline in graduates remaining at Reid and increased operating costs.
Those who were undergraduates in 1958 finished their training through Earlham College or other nursing programs.

The class of 1958 was one of the school's largest and its members were very close. Some students remembered traveling back and forth between Reid and Earlham for classes in taxis and a couple of student-owned cars.

Avelyn Chilcoate, a graduate and former instructor at the Reid nursing school was nicknamed "Chilly." Her students remember her well, with some students admitting to being afraid of her but respectful of her efforts.

At the 2008 reunion, Chilcoate said it was all part of the mission to provide patients the best care.

She worked in Reid's surgery department for 40 years, the last 17 as director, and has continued to volunteer at the hospital, earning the Volunteer of the Month Award in April 2009.

"I'm glad I was a nurse when we were nurses," Chilcoate said.