Candy Stripers
Photo by mlq
I remember well the day that I received the badge! We were all gathered in the auditorium at Holy Name for the Service Ceremony …….. and Pat Boone, the 50’s pop singer, gave each of us our badge and a rose. He and his family lived in Teaneck where the hospital was located. We all wore pink and white striped pinafores which is where the name Candy Striper came from.
Pat Boone ~ April Love
(I was a Rick Nelson fan, myself. 😉 )
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The responsibilities I was given as a volunteer included sterilizing the baby bottles in the autoclave,and cleaning the circumcision boards and baby bassinets after each use. I would string the alphabet beads on elastic cord to make the ID bracelets for mother and baby. The Maternity Ward was a happy place for a fifteen-year-old Candy Striper as she went about refilling water pitchers with fresh water and delivering flowers and mail to the new moms. More than any hope of becoming a nurse, I dreamed of one day holding my own newborn.
❤
*Images by Pixabay*
Last I knew they still had candy stripers, Mary Lou, but I haven’t worked in a hospital setting for well over 10 years, so I’m not sure. I do remember them when I was working as a nurse on the surgical floor – I never knew exactly what they did, but remember them passing out mail and flowers. It was lovely to have the young ones around us helping the patients. #MLSTL.
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Being a volunteer back then as a teen has stayed with me as a pleasant memory. Now, as a retiree, I’m volunteering in the hospital gift shop! I love the whole teamwork and friendly atmosphere. Thanks Molly! 🙂
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Once I adjust to retirement (I retired about 2 weeks ago) I may do some volunteer work at one of our local hospitals. Not going to commit to anything just yet.
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Great memory Mary Lou! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Janet! 🙂
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I’ve heard of Candy Stripers, Mary Lou but I’m not sure we had them in Australia. What a lovely experience for you and thank you for sharing your story with us at #MLSTL. Have a beautiful week. 🙂
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I took a class ‘Memories to Memoirs’ and it helped me recall so many lovely experiences in growing up. Thanks for stopping by Sue! 🙂
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Oh that is a great class, Mary Lou.
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Lovely memory. It’s been years since I thought about Candy Stripers.
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Me too Jean! I took a class ‘Memories to Memoirs’ and the instructor helped tap into some memories. 🙂
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What a lovely job for a 15 year old Mary Lou. Interesting that motherhood was more important to you than a career – things have certainly changed in the ways 15 year olds think these days! And cleaning circumcision boards is definitely a thing of the past – thank goodness!
MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
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It was a lot of responsibility for a 15 yo Leanne. We were allowed to wheel the baby carts out to the mothers too which I don’t thing would be the case today. Believe it or not, I just googled circumcision boards and they still use them! I didn’t like them then and I don’t like them now! Thanks for sharing!
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These are lovely memories. Thanks for sharing them with us #MLSTL Shared on SM
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Thank you for sharing Jennifer! 🙂
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This is a lovely memory you’ve shared for #mlstl. Thanks 🙂
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Thank you Debbie! I’m not sure if they still have a program like this. It was a wonderful experience.
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