Alumni Association of the Harper Hospital School of Nursing

History

The history of the Harper Hospital School of Nursing, formerly the Farrand Training School for Nurses, is an inspiring history of Professional Nursing in Michigan. One important aspect of the history of any school is the accomplishments of its graduates, and their contributions to the profession of nursing in their community whether it be in the field of Nursing Education, Nursing Service, Public Health Nursing, Industrial Nursing, Office Nursing, Government Service, etc.

Our School of Nursing was originally founded as a memorial to Dr. Farrand, who was a member of the first medical staff of Harper Hospital, and former President of the Board of Trustees. The meeting was held on April 21, 1883 in the home of Reverend Baker, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. It was founded for the education of nurses in the care of the sick, with an objective to make nursing a “calling for women of culture and stability”. The school was unique from its inception in that, it was created solely for the purpose of the education of nurses, rather than to provide service to the hospital.

The founding of the school came ten years after the first Modern School of Nursing organized by Florence Nightingale in London, England. This was the St. Thomas School of Nursing founded in 1873. All schools of Nursing in the United States founded under the Principles of the Nightingale Plan were called Nightingale Schools, such as, MGN, Bellevue, and New Haven, Connecticut.

The Alumni Association of the Harper Hospital School of Nursing was formerly known as the Farrand Training School Alumnae Association from 1883 to 1935 and had its beginnings under the able leadership of Mrs. Lystra E. Gretter, principal of the school from 1889 to 1907.

On January 4, 1893, just ten years after the opening of the school, Mrs. Gretter sent out letters to the graduates to attend a meeting in the Library of Harper Hospital. This was the first meeting of the Alumnae Association with original membership of twenty-seven. Membership dues were $1.00. The first functions were as follows:

1. Mutual protection for its nurses.
2. Improvement of professional work.
3. Promotion of fellowship between members.
4. Establishment of a registry for private practice in nursing in the hospital.
5. Establishment of a fund for sick nurses who were not self-supporting.

Click on the following Icon of Michigan History if you want more history about the Harper Hospital School of Nursing.

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