Mrs. Alice Grigg Patterson, graduate of the Victoria School of Nursing, 1899, studying her graduating class photo
May 1, 2025
For 150 years, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has been a leader in health care, research, and education. A key part of this legacy is the history of nursing at LHSC, one that began with the establishment of the London General Hospital Training School for Nurses in 1883. At the time, only Toronto and St. Catherines had nursing schools, making London the third city in the country to establish a formal nursing program.
In the late 19th century, hospitals across Canada, including London General Hospital, began to respond to the growing demand for nurses. Establishing a training school for nurses was part of a broader transformation in health care, recognizing that properly educated nurses were essential to improving hospital standards and patient outcomes. The program started small with just three students enrolled in its inaugural two-year course. Despite its modest beginnings, the school quickly gained recognition, and enrollment numbers grew steadily over the years. The establishment of structured training programs for nurses cemented London’s reputation as a medical leader, attracting patients from beyond the city seeking skilled care.
“As a registered nurse, educated as a learner at LHSC, I am incredibly proud of our nursing training legacy” says Deborah Wiseman, LHSC 150 Co-Executive Sponsor and Corporate Nursing Executive. “From the early days of hospital-based training to today’s advanced academic partnerships, nursing education and training has offered long-term valuable impacts.”
Training as a nurse in the late 19th century was not just an academic pursuit, it was a way of life. Students at London General Hospital’s nursing school lived at the hospital, immersing themselves in their education and clinical practice. Their days were structured around rigorous coursework and bedside care, often under strict supervision. Discipline, professionalism, and adherence to hospital routines were as much a part of their training as medical knowledge.
Few stories capture this experience better than that of Alice Grigg, one of the school’s earliest graduates. Originally from Hallock, Minnesota, Alice enrolled in the program at age 21, graduating in 1889.
Decades later, in 1958, Alice returned to London for the school’s 75th anniversary celebrations, where she was honored at a reunion and featured in LHSC’s quarterly publication Vic Life. At 92, she reminisced about her training days, recalling the stark differences between then and now. She spoke of boiling water over gas heat, the absence of masks in operating rooms, and using ocean sponges instead of gauze.
Nurses-in-training were expected to work long hours, not only providing skilled and compassionate care to patients but also maintaining hospital cleanliness and order. While the early living quarters were cramped and basic, they also provided a sense of community among the trainees.
Despite these challenges, Alice’s biggest takeaway from her time as a nurse was the power of bedside care. She emphasized how a nurse’s presence and compassion played a vital role in a patient’s healing journey, a sentiment that remains central to nursing today.
By 1927, as the school continued to expand, the need for improved living accommodations led to the construction of a new nursing residence known as the Gartshore Nurses' Residence on South Street. This facility provided better living conditions for students, reflecting the growing importance and recognition of nursing as a profession.
Above: Gartshore Nurses’ Residence on South Street
The early years of nursing education at London General Hospital were demanding and laid the foundation for the profession’s development in Canada. Over time, nursing education evolved from hospital-based training to formal academic programs beginning with the establishment of Western University’s School of Nursing in 1947, followed by Fanshawe College’s School of Nursing in 1973. LHSC consistently remains an essential clinical training site, providing real-world experience for generations of student nurses.
Today, LHSC continues to shape the future of nursing through its strong partnerships with Western University’s Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing and Fanshawe College’s nursing programs. These collaborations ensure that nurses are equipped with the foundational skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to meet the evolving challenges of health care.
This legacy of education and excellence continues today through LHSC’s commitment to nursing leadership and professional development. From just three students in 1883, the hospital now supports 1,080 student nurses through academic placements. The nursing workforce at LHSC has also expanded significantly with 4,835 nurses currently providing expert care to patients across the organization.
“As we celebrate LHSC’s 150th anniversary, we recognize LHSC’s exceptional leadership in nursing education and training in enhancing the fundamentals and foundations of nursing care and driving excellence in patient care across our past, present, and into our future.” says Wiseman.
LHSC is celebrating 150 years of care, innovation, and community impact by sharing 150 moments from our history. Join us in marking this milestone by sharing your own LHSC story.