Evanston Hospital School of Nursing: 1898-1984 (Images of America) Paperback – September 5, 2022

This is a story that needed to be told and thankfully Dr. Carolyn Smeltzer and Barbara McQuillan took on the project with wonderful results. I was an instructor at the school at the time when they were students and have always known that being a part of the evolution of nursing education was a fortuitous and remarkable experience. After reading the book I reviewed the five yearbooks from my time there and that added to the joy of the memories that the book elicited. I have such pride in these students not only for the nurses they became, but as people, and the lives they have led as well as the careers they established. The camaraderie at EHSN was extraordinary and I have lifelong friends from my time there that I treasure. Students and faculty became somewhat of a family and everyone worked hard, with focus and diligence, but we had a lot of fun as well. Thanks for the memories Carolyn and Barbara. As it states in the book....nursing is indeed a great profession.Marilyn L.C.

This book captures the essence of a diploma hospital nursing program experience so whether you were a graduate of Evanston Hospital School of Nursing or any other Hospital School of Nursing, you will enjoy this book. As I read it, I just inserted St. Joseph’s for Evanston and it replicated my experience entirely (well maybe not the Robert Redford dating part!). The last generation of diploma nursing graduates are now in or nearing their 7th decade. The memories of this type of education could be lost without books such as this. Dr. Carolyn Smeltzer and Barbara McQuillan did a marvelous job of sharing their memories. Thank you.

I gave this book to my sister for Christmas. She LOVED it! She went to St Agnes School of Nursing in Baltimore, Md. The book may be about Evanston Hospital School of Nursing but all could enjoy. The author is a nurse historian, author and excellent writer. History helps us remember, reflect and learn whih parts we need to keep as we move forward.

This book is well written and researched. The photos from 1900 moving forward are such a great representation of the progress made and evolution of nurses training. It was a total pleasure to read these pages and learn about the people who made it happen. I highly recommend this book to any nurse or medical professional and their families.

Great fun to look back at what made growing up fun, educational and very rewarding.

I graduated from a Diploma Nursing School 14 years before Dr. Smeltzer. My school was very much like that described in the book except for one thing. Students could not be married or they would have been dropped from the program. Diploma nurses were very experienced at graduation. When I would apply for a job I was told “can you start this afternoon?” The book is well written and explains the Nursing Diploma experience. It’s a history that needs to be told and documented. As I read the book memories flowed through my head about my own experiences in my diploma school of nursing and what this education gave me in life. Having graduated from a diploma school of nursing over 60 years ago, makes me wonder how many nurses, student nurses or faculty know what diploma nurses is and how it supported our healthcare system. This book Evanston Hospital School of Nursing 1898-1984 makes the history of diploma nursing come alive and not be forgotten

Upon opening this book I was deluged with historic photos and it continues to the finish flourish of the comraderie, support, value and depth of diploma nursing. Dr Carolyn Smeltzer continues to thrive with her research and storytelling intensity and Barb McQuillen makes the Evanston experience so rich. What a wonderful history Evanston Hospital School of Nursing has of top notch education, instructors, leaders, administration, teaching hospitals affiliation and the continued reevaluation to refine it to nourish and give the students the well rounded environment only diploma nursing could. Imagine, three years in the dorm living breathing nursing with this environment and the fun of releasing adventures as told in this book. As in lab rats, Robert Redford appearance ( true story), not necessarily on that order. What a story is told here. Buy it without hesitation. Thank you Carolyn and Barb these stories will never be forgotten.

Wonderfully written and beautiful photos. Giving a glimpse into history of a grand nursing school that spanned almost hundred years with focus on the class of 1972. Had fun revisiting the past. Inspirational book to future nurses.