Eliza Parks Hegan facts for kids

Eliza Parks Hegan (born in 1861 – died February 18, 1917) was an important Canadian nurse. She was in charge of the Victoria Public Hospital from 1890 to 1892. After that, she became the head nurse, or matron, at the Saint John General Public Hospital for three years, from 1892 to 1895. Eliza Hegan also worked at a hospital in New York for three years. In 1898, she opened her own private hospital in Saint John, New Brunswick. She helped start the first local nursing group, called the Graduate Nurses' Society of Saint John General Public Hospital, in 1903. Six years later, in 1909, she became its fifth president when it changed its name to the Saint John Graduate Nurses Association.

Early Life and Education

Eliza Hegan was born in 1861, possibly in Saint John (Portland), New Brunswick. Her mother was Eliza Hegan, née Black, and her father, John Hegan, was a successful merchant from Belfast. Eliza went to a private school, which likely gave her a very good education. Her early life was probably shaped by the strong values of the Victorian era.

In 1888, Eliza was one of ten women chosen to study nursing at a new training school. This school was at the Saint John General Public Hospital. She agreed to study there for two years to learn all about nursing from teachers and head nurses. She graduated from the school in 1890, becoming the sixth student to complete the program.

A Career in Nursing

After graduating, Eliza Hegan moved to Fredericton in 1890. She became the matron (head nurse) of the Victoria Public Hospital, which had 20 beds.

In 1892, she returned to Saint John and was appointed matron at the Saint John General Public Hospital. She held this role for three years, until 1895. Eliza suggested that the matron's job should be split, with a separate head nurse role created. This change happened in 1895.

In 1893, Eliza faced a challenge when she did not sign the graduation certificates for four nurses. These nurses had not followed the hospital's rules. The hospital board decided to support the graduates, and Eliza Hegan resigned in 1895. After this, she spent three years working as a night supervisor at a hospital in New York. During this time, she became ill with typhoid fever.

Starting Her Own Hospital and Helping Nurses

Eliza Hegan came back to Saint John in 1898. She then opened her own private hospital, which was one of only three in the city at the time.

In 1903, she helped create the first local group for nurses, called the Graduate Nurses' Society of Saint John General Public Hospital. While she wasn't one of the first 16 members, she later became very involved.

In March 1909, this group became the Saint John Graduate Nurses Association. Eliza Hegan served as its fifth president. She also worked as its registrar for several years, keeping records of nurses.

In 1916, a province-wide nursing organization was formed in New Brunswick. Eliza Hegan helped write its rules and guidelines. She was one of 16 people on the provincial council who worked on these bylaws. Eliza Hegan passed away in Canada on February 18, 1917, from liver cirrhosis.