Call Number:

MC 140

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Barbara Bates Center for the Study of The History of Nursing

Extent:

0.5 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

S. Lillian Clayton papers, Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1924-1929

Donor:

Clayton, S. Lillian (Sarah Lillian), 1876-1930

Abstract:

The materials in this collection were collected during (Sarah) Lillian Clayton time with the American Nurses Association (ANA). These documents focus on the work of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) as well as the ANA’s work with the ICN between 1924 and 1929.

(Sarah) Lillian Clayton was an 1896 graduate of the Philadelphia General Hospital (PGH) Training School of Nursing. Her early work included private duty nursing, and special training to become a missionary nurse. After abandoning her dream of missionary work, she completed a post graduate course at Teachers College, Columbia University and began a distinguished career in nursing education and supervision. She served in various positions before returning to PGH.

Clayton was an advocate of the individual student. She was a crusader for using staff nurses instead of students, allowing students a pre-clinical period in their education and expanding the traditional diploma school curriculum to include clinical experiences outside the hospital.

A national leader in nursing she served as president of National League for Nursing Education from 1917-20, was on the Board of Directors of the American Journal of Nursing, served on National Council of National Defense, Red Cross Nursing Service and the Pennsylvania Board of Nurse Examiners. She also served as chair of the American Nurses Association (ANA) Committee on Ethical Standards, which wrote a Code of Ethics for Nurses. Finally she was president of ANA for two terms though she died just before her term was completed in May 1930.