Categories: Scrubs

Nurses we love: Rose Church, NASA’s first nurse

the aero experience


It’s easy to forget that so many nurses don’t actually work in a hospital, clinic or school. Nursing is the kind of career that can really take you in several different directions. Case in point? Rose Church, famous for being NASA’s first nurse. But that’s not the only reason we love her–we’re also impressed by how she landed the gig!

StLToday.com

An employee of McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, Mo., Church had heard that the company was hiring an “aerospace physician.” Interested in the gig, she created an opportunity to speak with president James McDonnell and told him, “Where there’s a doctor, there’s always a nurse.” And after that conversation, she was that nurse!

Hear her talk about her career here:

Church went on to serve as the nurse to the Mercury and Gemini astronauts, including John Glenn, Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom. She is remembered as having a smart, quick wit and being super sweet–she would often bring astronauts their favorite training snack, even if it was a doughnut or a beer. Ha!

Church passed away late last year, but her spirit and hard work will always be remembered. Do you have a favorite historical nurse? Share them with us in the comments!

Source: The Aero Experience

Scrubs Editor

The Scrubs Staff would love to hear your ideas for stories! Please submit your articles or story ideas to us here.

Recent Posts

Leadership Qualities for Students

When we discuss students, we always mention their qualities. Those qualities show what they are…

12 months ago

A Comprehensive Guide to Dual Diagnosis Treatment Options

If you or someone you know is juggling mental health issues alongside substance abuse, understanding…

12 months ago

How To Take Care Of Your Mental Health While Following The News

For the last couple of weeks, the Israel-Hamas conflict has taken over the news cycle.…

12 months ago

Eyes on the Future: Innovations in Eye Treatment Lenses

Our eyes are invaluable, serving as our windows to the world. The ability to see…

12 months ago

Vision Issues Are on The Rise Among Nurses: Why and What to Do About It

Undoubtedly, one of the most demanding and challenging professions is nursing. Nurses work long hours in…

12 months ago

Echocardiography as a Diagnostic Tool: How Cardiologists Use Echo to Assess Heart Health

Echocardiography, or echo for short, is a key diagnostic test used by cardiologists to assess…

1 year ago