Mayborn exhibit celebrates 100 years of Baylor nursing

A century ago, nurses wore blue-and-white striped dresses and starched aprons. Their duties often included cooking for patients as well as caring for them — and nurses gave up nursing if they married. These days, nurses wear scrubs, train on simulator “patients” and have careers which may include military duty. Their ranks — unlike in the early days — include men. And marriage doesn’t come between nurses and their desire to serve.

Through all those changes, Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing has helped prepare students to serve. One of the oldest nurse training programs in the state, the LHSON is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year. As part of the celebration, Baylor’s Mayborn Museum debuted a new exhibit looking back at the history of Baylor nursing earlier this week. “Celebrating a Century of Service” will run through April 18, 2010, in the History of Baylor University Exhibit at the Mayborn. (For a sneak peek at the exhibit, enjoy this photo gallery from the ribbon-cutting.)

Interestingly, during the capital campaign for the Mayborn Museum, the Baylor exhibit hall was made possible through a donation by Marie and John Houser Chiles, who are also members of the nursing school’s Dean’s Board and active supporters of the LHSON.

Sic ’em, Baylor nursing!