“During World War II, 57,000 women served in the US Army Nurse Corps (ANC), 11,000 in the Navy Nurse Corps (NNC), and 6500 in the Army Air Forces. More than two hundred nurses died serving their country.”
In World War II, one of the many jobs of women were to be nurses. At first the Army was not officially recruiting them, but the Navy did after the formation of the Navy Nurse Corps in 1908. “The American Red Cross served as the traditional reserve for the Army Nurse Corps. On October 9, 1940, the ANC called the reserves to active duty, to volunteer for a one-year commitment.”
“To serve in the Army Nurse Corps, women had to be 21-40 years old (raised to 45 later in the war), unmarried (married nurses were accepted starting in October 1942), a highschool graduate, a graduate of a 3-year nursing training program, licensed in at least one state, a US citizen of an Allied country, 5’0”-6’0”, have a physician's certificate of health and a letter testifying to moral and professional excellence.” The two main causes of discharge were pregnancy and “neuropsychiatric”, also called combat fatigue. There was also gender and race discrimination amongst the nurses.
In the beginning, there was no formal training, but on July 19, 1943, the first basic training center opened. The training lasted for four weeks. They learned about military courtesy and practices, sanitation, camouflage, ward management, the use of gas masks, and map reading. They also endured physical training. “To train the increased number of nurses needed during the war, Congress authorized the Cadet Nurse Corps on July 1, 1943. The government paid for women to attend civilian nursing programs in exchange for service in the Army Nurse Corps upon graduation. The women in this accelerated program (two and a half years instead of three) had their own special cadet uniforms.”
“On the job, nurses wore a white ward dress with the white nurse’s cap. For outdoor use, they were also issued a set of “dress blues,” a dark blue service jacket and a medium blue skirt, a white or blue shirt, black tie, black shoes, and a dark blue garrison cap or service cap. “ “A dark blue cape lined with red and an overcoat were also used for outdoor wear. Starting in July 1943, the blue uniform was replaced with an olive drab service jacket and skirt and cap, khaki shirt and tie, and brown shoes—but implementation was slow and sporadic. It was first issued for overseas use, and later for stateside use.” “The dress uniforms had maroon piping on the garrison cap, epaulettes, and cuffs. The rank insignia (a single gold bar for second lieutenants, the vast majority of nurses) was worn on the epaulettes. A gold “U.S.” pin was worn on each collar, and a gold caduceus with a red N was worn on each lapel.”
“To serve in the Army Nurse Corps, women had to be 21-40 years old (raised to 45 later in the war), unmarried (married nurses were accepted starting in October 1942), a highschool graduate, a graduate of a 3-year nursing training program, licensed in at least one state, a US citizen of an Allied country, 5’0”-6’0”, have a physician's certificate of health and a letter testifying to moral and professional excellence.” The two main causes of discharge were pregnancy and “neuropsychiatric”, also called combat fatigue. There was also gender and race discrimination amongst the nurses.
In the beginning, there was no formal training, but on July 19, 1943, the first basic training center opened. The training lasted for four weeks. They learned about military courtesy and practices, sanitation, camouflage, ward management, the use of gas masks, and map reading. They also endured physical training. “To train the increased number of nurses needed during the war, Congress authorized the Cadet Nurse Corps on July 1, 1943. The government paid for women to attend civilian nursing programs in exchange for service in the Army Nurse Corps upon graduation. The women in this accelerated program (two and a half years instead of three) had their own special cadet uniforms.”
“On the job, nurses wore a white ward dress with the white nurse’s cap. For outdoor use, they were also issued a set of “dress blues,” a dark blue service jacket and a medium blue skirt, a white or blue shirt, black tie, black shoes, and a dark blue garrison cap or service cap. “ “A dark blue cape lined with red and an overcoat were also used for outdoor wear. Starting in July 1943, the blue uniform was replaced with an olive drab service jacket and skirt and cap, khaki shirt and tie, and brown shoes—but implementation was slow and sporadic. It was first issued for overseas use, and later for stateside use.” “The dress uniforms had maroon piping on the garrison cap, epaulettes, and cuffs. The rank insignia (a single gold bar for second lieutenants, the vast majority of nurses) was worn on the epaulettes. A gold “U.S.” pin was worn on each collar, and a gold caduceus with a red N was worn on each lapel.”
Nurses in the military had many different jobs. “On the ward, the nurse was in charge, under authority of the physician.” They were assisted by male medics. “Physicians entered the Medical Corps with the rank of captain and only male physicians were admitted to the Corps.” They were responsible for the temperature of the ward, the cleanliness, the quietness, and the orderliness. They had to do basic things that a nurse today has to do such as change sheets and help the patients with everyday things. They would also deliver food. They were in charge of taking notes to record how the patients were doing. This included symptoms, temperature, pulse, respiration, and sometimes blood pressure, depending on the patient's condition. They were also vital members of the Operating Room team. They were allowed to administer most medicines to patients, and they could only administer some under the supervision of a physician.
“Nurses entered the ANC as second lieutenants, and the vast majority stayed at the rank. The chief nurse of a hospital was usually a first lieutenant or a captain. The highest rank was held by the superintendent of the ANC, a colonel.” Even though they held a title and were given some of the same respects as men were, they had limited authority in the line of duty and were also paid less than men. Although, “they held a title, wore the insignia, were admitted to officers’ clubs, and had the privilege of the salute”.
There were different types of nurses. One of these nurses were flight nurses. They were specially trained to help transport stable patients to different medical facilities in England were they would receive further treatment. The only female German POW was a flight nurse. Flight nurses “were completely in charge during flight and had authorization to treat many medical emergencies.”
“Preparation for the conflict again saw the Nurse Corps grow, with nearly eight hundred members serving on active duty by November 1941, plus over nine hundred inactive reserves. By war's end there would be 1,799 active component nurses and 9,222 reserves (with the overwhelming number of reserves on active duty) scattered across six continents.”
“Nurses entered the ANC as second lieutenants, and the vast majority stayed at the rank. The chief nurse of a hospital was usually a first lieutenant or a captain. The highest rank was held by the superintendent of the ANC, a colonel.” Even though they held a title and were given some of the same respects as men were, they had limited authority in the line of duty and were also paid less than men. Although, “they held a title, wore the insignia, were admitted to officers’ clubs, and had the privilege of the salute”.
There were different types of nurses. One of these nurses were flight nurses. They were specially trained to help transport stable patients to different medical facilities in England were they would receive further treatment. The only female German POW was a flight nurse. Flight nurses “were completely in charge during flight and had authorization to treat many medical emergencies.”
“Preparation for the conflict again saw the Nurse Corps grow, with nearly eight hundred members serving on active duty by November 1941, plus over nine hundred inactive reserves. By war's end there would be 1,799 active component nurses and 9,222 reserves (with the overwhelming number of reserves on active duty) scattered across six continents.”