Nursing Examinations Records

The collection consists of: Handbooks for the Attendants/Mental Nurses of the Insane. The handbooks were compiled and published by committees of the Medico-Psychological Associations which were specially constituted for this purpose. Syllabus for the Examinations for the Certificate of Proficiency in Mental Nursing, November 1927; Syllabus for the Examinations for the Certificate of Proficiency in the Nursing of Mental Defectives, November 1927 and 1932; Occupational Therapy: An Addendum to the Handbook for Mental Nurses, 1938 (5 booklets); Question Papers for Preliminary and Final Examinations (1928-1951); Bound registers of persons who obtained the certificate of proficiency in nursing (1891-1951) Regulations for the Training and Examinations for the Certificate of Proficiency in Nursing and Attending on the Mentally Defective, undated, before 1926, revised 1930 and 1932; Regulations and Rules for the Nursing Certificates, July 1938; and Regulations and Syllabus for the Certificate in Occupational Therapy, 1938. Minutes of Meetings of the Mental Nursing Sub-Committee, 1957-1971 Minutes of Meetings of the Nursing Sub-Committee, 1972-1990 Minutes Meetings of the Nursing Liaison Committee, 1991-1994 Minutes of Meetings of the Disciplinary Committee, 1962-1963 The Eleanor Finegan Prize for Mental Nursing Papers, 1947-1948 Badges and medals donated to the College by descendants of mental nurses who obtained the certificate of proficiency in nursing.

The Certificate of Proficiency in Nursing was founded at the Medico-Psychological Association Meeting in 1890 and untill 1921 was the only recognised qualification in mental nursing. A separate certificate in Mental Deficiency Nursing was instituted in 1919 and a short lived Occupational Therapy Certificate was introduced in 1939. After negotiations with the General Medical Council, the examinations for these certificates were discontinued, the last being held in 1951.

The College Archives is open Monday to Friday from 09.00hrs to 16.30hrs. The Archives is not open during weekends and bank holidays. Access to the archives is by appointment with the Archivist on telephone: 0207 235 2351 ext. 6169.

Title supplied from contents of the collection.

Description compiled by Francis Maunze, Archivist and Records Manager, Royal College of Psychiatrists.

There are no restrictions on the use of this archive, apart from the requirements of the College Preservation Policy.

The records were created by the Medico-Psychological and its successor the Royal Medico-Psychological Association, the predecessor body of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

No accruals expected.