1920s: Dealing with oversupply

Nurses were in high demand during and after WWI, which led to nursing schools being filled with new students. Within a few years, the nursing field became saturated as new graduates sought employment, and by the late 1920s, unemployment had reached alarming rates. WSGNA worked to support higher educational requirements and shorter working hours to address the problem of oversupply.

The Bulletin, January 1929
Inaugural issue

We are sure that the desire in someone's heart, that the nurses of our State might have a medium through which to express themselves, was responsible for the inspirational thought that created our Bulletin; so this must be its purpose in part; not only those nurses from whom such creations are expected, but from the rank and file of us.

Most of us have beautiful pictures within ourselves; wonderful creations passing before our mind's eye; cannot we make word pictures of them, share our visions with our neighbors?

Would it not be interesting to go step by step with a nurse through some most unusual case where she has helped in the fight for some life with new methods and new drugs and won out? Unfortunately those battles are not all won.

Or to tell us of a wonderful vacation day in the country where she learned some of the secrets of Nature; or a bit of poetry. Please do not wait to be asked, just write it and send it on.

Another important reason for the creation of this Bulletin was that we might grow to know each better; what we are doing;—that one District might be an inspiration to another. We have had State Headquarters for some time, but this publication will give us something in common around which to gather and through which to express our thoughts.

When each person carries a share, the burden is not too heavy for any one, and we are sure that each person will carry her share. If the spirit with which each District has entered into the work this month is a forerunner of all the rest, we certainly have great reason to be encouraged.

We have started out with enthusiasm, and with a steady purpose in our hearts, I am sure our little Bulletin will have a place in our future development.