Outport Nurse

Margaret Giovannini

Margaret Giovannini was an English nurse who came to Newfoundland to work in the outports. Today she is an independent senior of 98 years, living in St. John's. She loves to talk about her years living in outports. Here she shares some of those memories.

I ARRIVED IN NEWFOUNDLAND on April 16, 1939. I had always wanted to travel but could never afford to do so. When the opportunity arose to work as well as travel, I liked it. We travelled to Newfoundland from Liverpool, England on board the S.S. Nova Scotia. Department of Health and Welfare nurses met me at the boat in St. John's and I was taken to the nurses' residence at the Balsam Hotel.

The first few days were spent mainly attending clinics at the Department headquarters which, at that time, was in the basement of the Public Library. I had misgivings about doing dentistry, which was required in the isolated outports. However, after receiving advice on procedures under the guidance of the dentist present at those clinics, I felt a little more confident.

I had been a Queen's District Nurse in England and was well acquainted with district work. I was also a certified midwife and had practiced as such for several years in England.

My first district in Newfoundland was Rencontre East in Fortune Bay, which included eight other settlements. These could only be reached by boat. It was always possible to answer calls except in stormy weather, which fortunately did not occur often.

Harbour Breton was the nearest medical centre and Dr. Paton resided at the hospital there. One week prior to taking up my post in Rencontre was spent in Harbour Breton meeting the medical officer. We were informed on procedures to be taken when medical advice and assistance was needed. If we needed urgent medical assistance, the hospital ship Lady Anderson was at our disposal and answered all our calls, weather permitting. A doctor and nurse were on board the boat at all times.