125th anniversary of Suffrage in New Zealand

World's first state-registered nurses

10 January 1902

Ellen Dougherty, c.1895
Ellen Dougherty, c.1895 (Carterton District Historical Society, Ref: PPC.0005

On 10 January 1902, the world’s first state-registered nurses had their names entered in the new register. Topping the list was Ellen Dougherty of Palmerston North.

Early training of nurses in New Zealand was rather ad hoc. During the 1880s, some hospitals began to offer training and accommodation onsite to attract ‘respectable’ women into nursing. As more women entered the profession, there was increased demand for improved conditions for both nurses and their patients.

A major advocate for professional nursing in New Zealand was Grace Neill, Assistant Inspector in the Department of Asylums and Hospitals from 1895 until 1906. In 1899, Neill spoke at a congress of the International Council of Women in London. She called for a national system of registering trained nurses – those who had undergone training and then passed a final exam set by an independent board.

After two years of campaigning, the Nurses’ Registration Act 1901 was enacted. Neill drafted the necessary regulations, defined the curriculum and appointed examiners.   

On 10 January 1902 the first names were entered in the register, with that of Ellen Dougherty of Palmerston North at the top of the list.

For Dougherty, registration was recognition of years of work. She had nursed since at least 1885, when she was employed at Wellington Hospital. After completing her certificate of nursing in 1887, she headed the accident ward and then the surgery ward before becoming acting matron by 1893. She was passed over for the permanent position.

In 1897, she became the matron of a new hospital in Palmerston North. This was a challenging role, as the hospital was not yet fully set up and received patients with gruesome injuries suffered in forestry and railway construction work. Ellen Dougherty retired in 1908, aged 64.

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