Nursing Cap - Cupcake style with burgundy ribbon
Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing, Circa 1960s
Linen
“Cupcake” caps replaced flat caps. More ornamental than practical, cupcake caps denoted status and affiliation. The burgundy ribbon on this cap signified the completion of the first year of nursing school. One nurse’s remembrance on wearing the cupcake cap: “Our caps look like a paper cupcake holder upside down on our heads, that I have to hold onto my hair with 2 long pointy white hat pins that are out to get me, never really keeping it in its proper place.” -Maureen Powers, 1968-1969 Junior Year at Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing, MaureenPowers.com
Student Nurse Uniform
Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing, 1966
Synthetic Blend
This uniform belonged to Pamela Anderson, a graduate of the Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing. Students were required also to wear white tights and white, polished shoes. The dress is made of a synthetic wash and wear blend, with faux mother-of-pearl buttons that are removable for washing. At the time, the hospital laundered uniforms for the nurses.
On loan from the Rhode Island Hospital Nurses’ Alumni Association
Wool Blazer
Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing, 1966
Goodbye nursing cape, hello blazer! Nursing students at Rhode Island Hospital would have worn this blazer over their uniforms.
On loan from the Rhode Island Hospital Nurses’ Alumni Association