North Texas nurse shortages are nothing new. See how wartime Dallas handled it

Editor’s Note: Take a look back at the Dallas Morning News Archives.

The beginning of World War I marked the beginning of a shortage of nurses in Dallas. When the Spanish flu wave hit in late 1918, many medical personnel had left the city to serve in the armed forces. Dallas was unprepared.

This lack of maintenance continued after the war and continued into the Second World War. The Dallas Morning News reported on the issue and a program run by the American Red Cross that trained women to meet the needs. This became “the largest mass first aid training in Dallas history.”

First World War

An advertisement dated February 18, 1918.(DMN)

During World War I, activities on the home front included fundraising and supplies for American troops overseas. The Texas State Council of Defense ran ads asking, “What are you doing to make your city healthier and more livable?” The council advised on sanitation and preventive measures. When the second wave of Spanish flu hit, however, there was no consistent effort to address the shortage of nurses.

In December 1918, The News reported that nearly 500 residents had died from the flu and related problems by the fall. These deaths prompted city and regional organizations to rethink their approach to health care in times of crisis.

Between the wars

After the end of World War I and the decline in the number of Spanish flu cases, there were still concerns about medical care. An advertisement from 1919 emphasized the urgency of building a hospital building due to a lack of space and care. Later that year, the Dallas Welfare Council asked for donations to support charities such as one that provides medical care for infants.

An advertisement dated March 20, 1932.(DMN)

In 1932, Dallas hosted the Dallas Southern Clinical Society’s annual conference and The News printed advertisements from hospitals, medical associations, and nursing programs. In 1940, a year before the United States entered World War II, the Dallas Red Cross Chapter held a rally to discuss nursing.

Despite these efforts, the shortage of carers continued, but this time the city was proactive.

Second World War

In 1941, the U.S. officially entered World War II and nurses began to abandon it as they had 25 years earlier. In response, The News reminded readers that It’s Your War and the Red Cross medical education campaign was about to begin. Red Cross graduates taught local women free home nursing, nursing assistants, and basic first aid courses.

Headline from January 7, 1942.(DMN)

The promotion and implementation of the courses was a joint effort. Social clubs like the Union Bower Home Demonstration Club and Daughters of the American Revolution Auxiliary supported the program with presentations and class sponsorships. The YWCA, hospitals, corporations, and the Dallas County Medical Society encouraged participation.

Schools became the hubs of war support initiatives. Similar to the previous war, students raised funds, raised funds, and made supplies to send overseas. In January 1942, many teachers who had been trained in first aid returned to their jobs and were ready to take precautions against air strikes and sabotage.

Headline from April 12, 1942.(DMN)Headline from January 1, 1942.(DMN)

While nurses assisted in hospitals, home nurses should be the first level of triage, reserving hospital beds for the most severe cases. The women should also help in the event of an attack or a hospital evacuation. The courses also taught steps to deal with accidents, such as treating victims of poisoning. An article from January 1942 began: “The war today is a plague even for the non-warring nations. But the great American tragedy is still death and accidental injury. “

In its history of World War II, the Red Cross recorded more than 7.5 million volunteers in 1945. In Dallas by July 1942, approximately 70,000 adults and children were involved. 2,837 of the volunteers were home nursing graduates, while 300 nurses were trained to replace those who had gone into military service. Over 20,000 adults and children from the Dallas area had taken first aid courses.

Ads of the Red Cross and Nursing and headlines from World War II.(DMN)

Tuberculosis in Dallas

In the middle of World War II, The News reported that the tuberculosis rate in Dallas was above the national average. Woodlawn Hospital had a bed shortage, leaving two-thirds of aspiring tuberculosis patients without help. The high number of patients has been linked to poor living conditions and malnutrition. These cases were recognized too late for the victims, who were often grocers and factory workers.

Headline from May 31, 1942.(DMN)

A coordinated approach between city committees, schools, and the Dallas Tuberculosis Association aimed to promote early detection, better housing, and education. These efforts went hand in hand with the Red Cross programs.

Training continues

Medical training in the community did not end with World War II. Since then, the organizations have continued to provide healthcare training to the public.

Three nurses at the Ethel Ransom Memorial Hospital in June 1946. From the collections of the Texas / Dallas History and Archives Division, Dallas Public Library.(Marion butt)

In 1947 tuberculosis was still a problem. In August of that year, an article by just 55 public health nurses in Dallas County reported when it took 220 to meet demand. Home nursing has been cited as a means of alleviating this scarcity.

Photo of three Red Cross volunteers from August 16, 1966.(Aleck Pantaze / employee photographer)

In 1966, the local Red Cross group was looking for volunteers to teach first aid courses and maternal and baby care. Volunteers provided food to displaced people and raised funds for soldiers during the Vietnam War.

In 1978, Red Cross volunteers set up a scene with a car accident victim. They helped the “victim” while the trainees observed. The news reported that passers-by believed the graphics scene was real.

Since the 1970s, the Red Cross has continued to offer classes for North Texans, including first aid, childcare and babysitting, nurse, CPR, and lifeguards. However, none is under the label “home nursing”.

Would you like to learn more about the local history? Subscribe to the Dallas Morning News at dallasnews.com/archives.

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