Ellen White: Woman of Vision

A School For Nurses

The next step was the development of a school for nurses. The Union Conference Record of January 15, 1899, carried the following notice: WV 340.1

Sanitarium training school for nurses WV 340.2

The sanitarium school for nurses is an institution for the training of young men and women to engage in various lines of medical and other philanthropic work under the direction of regularly organized missionary boards of the Australasian Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association. The school is evangelical, but highly scientific. WV 340.3

As to what might be expected in training and financial arrangements, the notice stated: WV 340.4

The Course: The course of instruction covers a period of three years, the terms commencing April 1 and October 1 each year.... WV 340.5

Remuneration: During the first year of the course, students receive uniforms and books, besides room, board, and tuition, and are required to work full time—ten hours each day. After the first year's examinations are passed, a small salary, as determined by the Sanitarium medical board, will be paid in addition to room and board, provided the work is done satisfactorily. WV 340.6

Soon Dr. S. C. Rand joined the forces, bringing the medically trained staff to four—two physicians and two graduate nurses. God blessed the work carried by the dedicated personnel laboring with limited facilities in cramped quarters. In response to Ellen White's almost heartbreaking pleas pointing out the dire need of building and equipping a sanitarium in Sydney, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, his brother, W. K. Kellogg, J. N. Loughborough, and others sent some funds with which to make a beginning in the erection of a well-planned medical institution. WV 340.7

It was reported that at the end of June there were 21 employees in the little Medical and Surgical Sanitarium of Summer Hill. WV 340.8