By Marguerite Sand
Times-Union Women's Editor
Those submitting to surgery in the past two years at Murphy Medical
Center, Warsaw, have looked into the eyes of the woman pictured
here. (Times-Union Staff Photo)
Personality and individuality were obscured, covered by a white
uniform and facial mask. For a few brief moments, before you succumbed
to the oblivion of unconsciousness, you probably wondered who
she might be. When you awoke, chances are the incident was forgotten,
and you never asked the question again. Mrs. Jordan has been on
the local hospital staff for the past five years. It was not until
1954 that she began here the work in which she had received specialized
training the administration of anesthetics.
Her father, C.V. Anderson, is a Seventh Day Adventist minister
of 40 years standing. At present he and his wife live at Baltimore,
Md., where he is conference president of his denomination. Fifteen
years of his ministry has been spent as a missionary to Europe.
Mrs. Anderson (sic) has a sister, Mrs. George Kreuder, who is
a nurse in California. Her brother, W. C. Anderson, lives in Iowa.
Mrs. Jordan's husband is employed by the Sunshine Farm Mills of
Churubusco.
In addition to her work as an anesthiologist, Mrs. Jordan devotes
much of her time to her five children Nancy, 17, is a senior at
Indiana Academy, Cicero, Ill. Still at home are Donald, 10, Robert,
8, Linda, 6, and Richard, who is three years old. All but the
little one attend Monroe township school. Grandma, Mrs. C. N.
Jordan, formerly of Etna Green, is a member of the large family,
helping to care for the little ones.
Live in Europe
When Mrs. Jordan was a year old, her family went to Sweden where
they remained for 11 years. During this time she was tutored by
a private instructor. From Sweden the family moved to England.
For the next four years she attended English public schools, and
Newbold Missionary college, Rugby. Broadview high school, LaGrange,
Ill., is Mrs. Jordan's alma mater. Following her graduation from
William Mason Memorial hospital, Murry, Ky., she practiced as
a register nurse.
One night everyone was tied up in the operating room. Mrs. Jordan
had to give gas to a patient. It was at this time she decided
she wanted to know more about the administration of anesthetics.
She took a nine-month course, both technical and practical, at
the Norwegian American School of Anesthesia.
Mrs. Jordan is affiliated with the American Association of Nurses
and Anesthiologists which was organized 25 years ago. When it
became necessary 16 years ago to take a national board examination
to qualify, she was the first one to come before the board. Mrs.
Jordan is registered in the states of Kentucky, Maryland and Indiana,
and belongs to both state and national nurse's association.
Realized Ambition
For as long as she can remember, Mrs. Jordan wanted to be a nurse.
Her work is a satisfying one. She likes contact with patients.
The challenge of her profession, alleviating both physical and
mental distress continues to be a fascinating and absorbing one.
In North Carolina where she spent one year in a doctor's office,
she delivered two babies in homes during a flu epidemic. Most
satisfying of all to Mrs. Jordan is the privilege of telling a
patient she has a new son or daughter. The look on the mother's
face is payment enough.
Mrs. Jordan has had three months training in pediatrics. Three
in obstetrics, three in medicine and clinical procedure. When
in the pediatric ward, a nurse has her hands full. There may be
five to eight "preemies" in addition to the 25 to 30
children who need attention.
The heart of this nurse goes out to the sick and suffering. Sitting
with the dying is one of her duties. As one talked to Mrs. Jordan
you knew that a compassionate nurse never takes this final service
to a patient matter of factly. She told of the little boy in the
pediatric ward who was dying of kidney poison. His mother could
not bear to stay with him. Mrs. Jordan sat with the child, the
mother watched the children in the ward.
Most patients before an operation are frightened. It is Mrs. Jordan's
duty to alleviate fear. Her favorite cases are those involving
children, such as tonsillectomies. She has a bag of tricks up
her sleeve. After playing games, counting spots, blowing balloons
with them, she has gained their confidence and they create no
problem.
Faced with a situation with which they are not familiar, patients
beg Mrs. Jordan to stay with them until they are awake, to pray
with them, to give a message to some member of their families.
Safe in Right Hands
Taking an anesthetic is safe, Mrs. Jordan said, if it is administered
by a competent and qualified person. The anestheologist is responsible
to the surgeon. She must report any change in the patient's condition.
Oxygen is administered throughout surgery, and accurate check
is kept on blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. Often stimulants
have to be given.
Sometimes the nurse's duties takes on a lighter aspect. One day,
Mrs. Jordan relates, a woman came into the hospital with a foot
infection. She needed immediate attention, was taken to surgery.
It was Mrs. Jordan's job to call a neighbor and ask her to turn
off the stove before the meal the woman was cooking burned.
It is with great respect that we pay homage to all women of the
nursing profession, who in this community and throughout the world
devote their lives to the welfare of others.
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Warsaw Times-Union Thursday, September 13, 1956
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