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Start Over Collection Jessie Parker Smith Oral History Interview, 2022

Jessie Parker Smith Oral History Interview, 2022

Jessie Parker Smith, LPN, was a member of the first graduating classes of the Durham School of Practical Nursing during the late 1940s, as well as one of the cohorts of what is now known as the "Trailblazers", the first African American nurses hired by Duke. Smith remained a nurse at Duke for over 40 years. Initially a surgical nurse, she came to work with a variety of patients and specialties over her career. Tireless in her advocacy for the profession, Smith was an active member and Treasurer of the North Carolina Licensed Practical Nurses Association. This collection contains 1 oral history interview conducted on June 13, 2022 by Patara Williams and transcribed by Josephine McRobbie. Smith's daughter, LaHoma Romocki, was also part of the conversation, and the interview was attended by Heather Lowe (Duke University) and Josephine McRobbie (audio engineer contractor). In the interview, Smith discusses the Duke and Durham hospital systems, the work and culture of Licensed Practical Nursing throughout Smith's career, and Smith's perspectives on patient care. The themes of this interview include nursing, racial integration in healthcare, and professional development.
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Interview, June 13, 2022

This oral history interview was conducted with Jessie Parker Smith on June 13, 2022 by Patara Williams and transcribed by Josephine McRobbie. Smith's daughter, LaHoma Romocki, was also part of the conversation, and the interview was attended by Heather Lowe (Duke University) and Josephine McRobbie (audio engineer contractor).

Duration: 02:13:12

During the interview, Smith discusses the Durham School of Practical Nursing; African American nurses at Lincoln and Duke Hospitals; experiences interacting with white and Black colleagues; segregation of Duke Hospital facilities and the treatment of white patients; integration of Duke Hospital; care of Black patients with specialty care concerns at Duke Hospital; Smith's work in surgical, thoracic, cardiac, and other units; changes to services at hospitals over time; social activities organized by nurses like bowling, baseball, fashion shows, and racquetball; professional development activities and association; changes in nursing dress codes related to race; meeting her husband, Rev. Dr. Adolphus Smith in Duke Hospital; integration of UNC Hospitals; relationships with physicians and other colleagues, as well as Smith's friendship with LPN Louise Prince; Smith's experiences and perspectives of working as a nurse in regards to patient care; Smith's work with the North Carolina Licensed Practical Nurses Association; caring for her husband during illness; the work and culture of Licensed Practical Nursing throughout Smith's career; and administrative aspects of working for Duke such as the performance evaluation system. The themes of this interview include nursing, racial integration in healthcare, and professional development. Digital files include interview metadata and transcript (PDF), interview with stereo (WAV), interview with mono (MP3), consent form (PDF), consent form addendum (MSG), and TXT files.