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A nurse in a dress—it’s unthinkable today. Yet for over a century, this was the uniform for women in the profession. Even these dresses evolved with the times, slowly changing over the years. A 58-piece doll collection from Nebraska showcases how nursing uniforms have developed over time.
Nursing students contribute to the project
The stunning doll collection originated as an idea by Clara Siemsen (1911–2000). A military nurse with a passion for making clothing, she decided to document the history of nursing uniforms. For this project, she enlisted the help of nursing students, asking them to replicate their attire on a “Vogue doll,” a popular doll type at the time. This allowed Siemsen to combine her two passions.
Initially, she contacted schools in Omaha, but gradually other nursing programs across Nebraska joined in. Some chose to recreate not their current uniforms but those from earlier years. The result was a collection of 58 dolls representing the attire of nurses from 1820 to 1957.
Dolls in uniforms illustrate a century of evolution
Center: Sister of St. Francis, who arrived in Omaha in 1880. The model wears an early habit created by Sr. M. Corona.
Right: Sister of Mercy, the first nurse in Nebraska (1864). St. Catherine’s Hospital, opened in 1870 at 12th and Mason. Model dressed by Sr. M. Gervase.
In the early years, formal uniforms were virtually nonexistent. Nursing duties were often performed by nuns, and for a long time, it wasn’t seen as a professional job. Florence Nightingale (1820–1910), shown on the left above, was instrumental in elevating nursing to a recognized profession.
Uniforms with aprons and cuffs
Center: Nebraska Sanitarium, Hastings, Nebraska (1910–1923). Model dressed by A.V. Christianson, with technical advice from Ethel Evans Kenney, Class of 1919.
Right: St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, Grand Island, Nebraska (1920–present). Dressed by Kathleen Stack, Class of 1925.
By the late 1800s, nursing uniforms began to emerge. Nursing was one of the first few professions open to women. The attire typically included an apron, often paired with a long dress and a cap. The apron was a standard part of workwear at the time, worn not only by nurses but by anyone whose work involved getting dirty—whether in the garden, at home, or in other professions.
An interesting detail in the collection is the use of detachable cuffs. These cuffs were a separate part of the uniform. Nurses would roll up their sleeves while working, but when a supervisor or sister was present, they were required to cover their arms again, necessitating the frequent removal and replacement of the cuffs.
World War II’s impact on nursing uniforms
Center: Vocational School of Practical Nursing, Alliance, Nebraska (established 1958). Model dressed by Sr. Dorothy Jean, Class of 1962.
Right: Lincoln Public School of Practical Nursing, Lincoln, Nebraska (1963–present). Model dressed by Mrs. Pauline Reiner, Class of 1964.
After World War II, nursing uniforms underwent significant changes. Skirts became shorter and less voluminous. Eventually, trousers replaced skirts, though this transition isn’t reflected in the doll collection. The dolls only wear skirts and dresses, likely because creating trousers for doll-sized figures is far more complex than making skirts or dresses, especially to fit the small frames.
If you’d like to view more photos, visit the University of Nebraska Medical Center website. For additional information about nursing uniforms and the shift to pantsuits, feel free to check out an earlier article I wrote, which delves into the finer details of nursing attire.
Best regards,
Aileen
Photo Source: Nursing Doll Collection, Special Collections and Archives, McGoogan Health Sciences Library, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.