Introduction
This site is dedicated to those hardworking and underpaid Angels of Mercy who, over the years, have made a stay in hospital that much more bearable. It's a growing collection of images of Nurses taken from Film, TV and The Media from the 1930s to the present, showing how uniform styles have changed over the years.
The Nursing profession has a long and glorious uniform tradition, which is daily being eroded by more and more Hospitals and NHS Trusts dressing their Nurses in polo shirts and scrubs, often leading to Nurses becoming indistinguishable from cleaners and domestic staff. I find this a tragedy, as a traditional uniform is smart, enables the Nurse to be easily identified by patients and public and gives the Nurse a certain dignity that you just cannot get from a polo shirt.
I intend to update this site on a regular basis. If you have any images of Nurses, or photos of yourself (if female) or your wife or girlfriend in uniform that you'd like to see here, then send them to me and I'll put them in. I'm not interested in pornographic images, 'Naughty Nurses' or cross-dressers, only those showing these dedicated women in the uniforms of their profession.
Also, if there are any retired Nurses out there who would like to share their memories of their days in the profession, please get in touch.
Kev
The pictures
Galleries of actresses
Other things
Text/Articles
Tippets to Scrubs - Phil's History of Nurses Uniforms, cross-referenced with many of the images on this site.
Suppliers Index - A list of the UK's major Nurses Uniform suppliers.
Martha's Letter - Martha is a retired Nurse from Hong Kong. She's sent me her thoughts on the various uniforms she's worn during her career, and the reactions they have produced from men. No pictures, unfortunately, but it's nice to get a Nurse's perspective.
Conversation with Nurse 'S' - Phil has been corresponding with Nurse 'S' who gives her thoughts on all things uniform.
Penny's Page - Everything you ever wanted to know about the 'Newcastle' dress.
Becky's Article - A different angle on the development of the Nurses Uniform.
St.George's Hospital - Sarah's retrospective look at the uniforms worn there in the '80s.
Guy's Hospital 80s/90s - Sarah's done it again, this time with a little help from her friends.
King's College Hospital - Sarah looks back at the uniform she wore as a student. Includes the 1977 Uniform Regs.
Letters Page - Dresses or Tunics? The debate continues here.....
The National Uniform - Sarah's history of the 1970s National uniform, and why it got its bad reputation. All-new pics.
Paradise Lost - Paradise Regained? - Regular correspondants David & Dee discuss the arguements for and against scrubs and tunics replacing uniform dresses.
A Textbook for Midwives - Midwife training in Scotland in the 1950s & 1960s, by Phil.
The White Dress - Bob the Corgi bemoans the demise of the traditional American Nurse's dress.
Italian Links Regular contributer Duncan has compiled this list of Italian Uniform Suppliers.
Nurse Training in 1980s USA A personal account by Sherry RN
Guy's Hospital Memories (New May 2009) Angela remembers the Queen's visit in the 1970s.
Memories of the London Hospital (New August 2009) Miriam remembers her training in the 1970s/80s.
Nursing in the Netherlands (New July 2011) Susan's memories as a Student Nurse in the 1970s-1980s.
Links to Other Sites
Most of the links in this section doesn't exist anymore on the web. These are linked to the internet archive. Many thanks to this great service!
Nursing Memorabilia An American Nurse's memories of her days in training.
Ackley Uniforms Link Directory A huge directory of Uniform Manufacturers worldwide.
Angels A brief overview of the series, part of the Television Heaven site.
The Zwerdling Nursing Archive Picture Postcards of the Nursing Profession 1893-2002.
Oldham School of Nursing Archive An excellent site, full of pictures and information.
Cheddleton Memories Memories of St. Edward's Hospital, Cheddleton, Staffordshire.
History of Nursing New UK-based site.
History of Hospitals Sister site to History of Nursing.
Schools of Nursing UK-based site.
District Nursing 150 150 years of District Nursing in the UK. Thanks to Phil for the link.
This Is Total Essex Essex nurses are returning to wearing caps. Thanks to Sarah for the link.
Nursing Badges Dedicated to the history and collecting of badges and medals awarded to nurses, midwives and associated healthcare staff.
Anastasia, Florence Nightingale and I The true story of her mother, by Barbara Brooks Wallace, award-winning author of many books for children.
Ladies in White (New May 2011) Pete Dowan is a disabled musician from Canada. His song, Ladies in White, is a tribute to the nurses he's met over the years.
Nursing Uniforms of the Past (New January 2012) A look at the history of US Nurses Uniforms. Thanks to Graeme.
Disclaimer
Nurses Uniforms - Past & Present is a non-profit making internet resource created for the sole purpose of keeping a record of these fast-disappearing styles. All the pictures on this site have either been sent to me or taken from the public domain. If anyone has an objection to any pictures appearing, please let me know. I do not deal in Nursing Uniforms, accessories or memorabilia.