New York State Nursing Council for War Service Recruitment and Classification Files

Organized into two subseries: 1. Administrative Files; 2. Classification Files.

Alphabetical by name in Subseries 2, Classification Files; none apparent in Subseries 1, Administrative Files.

This series contains information on the War Council's efforts to attract women into the nursing profession in order to alleviate the acute shortage exacerbated by World War II and to assist in the recruitment of nurses into the armed services by keeping a roster of nursing personnel.

Subseries 1: Administrative Files, 1942-1945. 1 cubic foot. This subseries contains minutes, correspondence, memoranda, monthly reports, press releases, form letters, and publicity materials, revealing the Council's efforts to organize themselves and their recruiting efforts. Included are missives from the national to the State organization and communications from the State to local groups. Minutes from the national organization detail the number of nurses each state was asked to recruit and the states' response. Organizational efforts including information on how to direct local nursing councils and manage problems with recruitment are also discussed. Minutes from the New York State Nursing Council's Procurement and Assignment Committee reveal local chapters' efforts with recruitment and classification of nurses. Found throughout this subseries are the Council's recruitment strategies promoting nursing as a valuable, patriotic career that was compatible with motherhood and family life.

Subseries 2: Classification Files, 1942-1943. 23 cubic feet. This subseries contains a wealth of demographic data on the classification forms collected by the Procurement and Assignment Committee. The inventory was done to assess the number, capability, and availability of the nurses available for war service. These forms detail information on about two-thirds of all nurses residing in the State of New York during World War II, including: name; address; place of employment; position; date of birth; marital status; number of dependents under and above 14 years old; physical handicaps (if any); classification rating; reasons for a temporary deferment (if one was granted); and date of availability.

The form also includes the name and address of the originating county's procurement and assignment committee agent, the date of action, and the reasons for a deferment. (Reasons for a deferment included work in an "essential position," poor health, having young children, or being too young (less than 25) and single.) The bottom of the form was reserved for the State Chairman of the Procurement and Assignment Committee who reviewed the county agent's deferment recommendation.

Available on microfilm. Not for interlibrary loan.

A4281Series A4281, Nursing Council for War Service, Newspaper Clippings Scrapbook, contains additional Nursing Council records.

Folder list is available at the repository.