North Carolina Nursing History

Anne Ferguson of Concord received her training in Watts Hospital, Durham, NC graduating in 1898.  She is a charter member of the NC State Nurses' Association, being one of the fourteen members who went to Raleigh in 1901 to assist in organizing the State Nurses Association.  She also has the distinction of being the only graduate of a small NC hospital to receive an appointment from the Army for service in the Spanish American War.  Upon her return from war service in May, 1890, she engaged in private duty nursing in Concord.  In 1901 Miss Ferguson was elected superintendent of Billlingsley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Statesville.  This hospital and Dr. H.F. Long's hospital were merged in March 1905 to become a private institution.  Miss Ferguson continued as superintendent of nurses, serving continuously nearly thirty five years, retiring April, 1936, on account of ill health.

As a pioneer in the nursing profession, Miss Ferguson served ably as a leader among hospital executives  and over a longer period of time than perhaps any other nurse in the state.  Miss Ferguson was secretary treasurer of the Board of Examiners from 1909-1912, a member of the Executive Board of Dunnwyche ( an NCSNA sponsored home for tubercular nurses) and also served as a member of various committees throughout her years of active service.  She now (1938) makes her home with her sister in Concord.

Source: Wyche, M.L. (1938). History of Nursing in North Carolina.