Boston City Hospital School of Nursing

Dr. Cowles selected Linda Richards, born Melinda Ann Richards (July 27, 1841), first graduate of a nurse training school in the United States (New England Hospital for Women and Children, 1873) to head the school. Miss Richards had the responsibility of creating the first nurse training school affiliated and controlled by a municipal hospital in the U.S. In building the program, Miss Richards drew from her experiences at St. Thomas' Hospital, London (the Nightengale School) and thereby incorporated Florence Nightengale's philosophy of nursing. The priority in nursing was and still is, patient care. A capable and dedicated woman as history depicts her, Linda Richards set up the curriculum (originally a two-year program), organized the intense training program (6 graduates out of 64 matriculations) and established the high level standards for nurse training which prevail even now. The first program was not sophisticated but clearly reflected a higher level of instruction than had ever been prevalent. Originally students paid no tuition but exchanged hospital service for educational costs. A negligible sum ($10.00 per mo. 1st yr., $14.00 per mo. 2nd yr.) was paid to students for clothing and personal expenses. Lucy Drown, graduated in 1884 from the school, succeeded Linda Richards as Superintendent and remained until 1910. Under her direction the school trebled in size and in 1908 the program was expanded to 3 years. President of both the BCH Nurses Club and the Alumnae Association (1896) and Treasurer for 6 years of the American Society of Superintendents of Training School for Nurses, Miss Drown was active within the school and the profession. A nurse's residence at 717 Massachusetts Avenue, since demolished, was named after Lucy Drown. The history of the school is filled with names of famous nurses, among them: Mary Riddle, author of BCH Training School for Nurses, Historical Sketch, 1878-1928, President of the BCH Alumnae Association and together with Lucy Drown, one of the founders of the Massachusetts ...