SOME slightly dubious life lessons for a career as a nurse were dished out at an awards ceremony for new recruits in February 1966.

Here, a group of nurses - all women - are handed their professional certificates at a prize-giving at Cowley Road Hospital.

Judith Hutchinson, on the board of governors for Oxford hospitals, told the group at the outset of their career that nursing was 'one of the best professions open to a woman'.

She then went on to give some advice as to the best qualities of a nurse. She should demonstrate 'absolute obedience and gaiety' in order to succeed. Or so went the thinking went 50 years ago.