When Mrs. Fall arrived, she worked on the women's ward as well as the men's ward for 15 months before returning to Canada. There, she worked at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal where she completed obstetrics courses and trained in obstetric nursing.

But Mrs. Fall returned to Bermuda in October, 1953. And she went back to the Maternity Ward at the Hospital. "I wanted to work in surgical areas rather than maternal but because of my added experience in obstetrics, I went on to the Maternity Ward,'' said Mrs. Fall.

"I tried to transfer a few times but I ended up staying there,'' she said.

"And I've seen so many changes in the last 41 years.'' The Maternity Ward was located in the old hospital until it moved to the new wing in 1970. "The old wing was so run down,'' said Mrs. Fall, who was head of the ward. "And the nursery only had two semi private rooms. We didn't even have a labour room, nor did we have any isolates or incubators. We were trying to get the equipment but there wasn't a lot of money to spend.

"Back then, there weren't even any paediatricians or maternity specialists -- except for one doctor who had extra training in caesarean sections. And the nurses were usually on their own when caring for the women before and after deliveries. It was so different back then.

"Everything was deteriorating but we were giving good care,'' she said.

Improvements came with time. And when the maternity ward moved into the new wing, many changes took place. "The building itself was such an improvement,'' said Mrs. Fall. "And we started to get better equipment in the ward.

"Also after the move, fathers were allowed to come in during delivery - that was a big step forward,'' she said.

Originally from New Brunswick, Mrs. Fall obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in nursing there before training at Montreal General Hospital. She came to Bermuda after meeting Bermudian nurses at school. "They always had a `Bermudian' magazine in the library which I thought was very interesting,'' she said. "And when I needed a job, Bermuda was advertising for nurses so I decided to apply.'' Mrs. Fall arrived shortly thereafter on a ship -- the Ocean Monarch . And she started work at the Hospital the following day. "I loved Bermuda from the day I arrived,'' she said. "I thought it was beautiful and there were so many different colours -- I was used to the cold and grey,'' she added.

The last feat accomplished by Mrs. Fall and her nursing staff before she retired as unit coordinator was preparing the ward for the Canadian Accreditation Council. "I always thought we were doing very well and being accredited proved that,'' she said. "Today Maternity Ward care is excellent.'' Having retired, Mrs. Fall reflects on her days with the Hospital as ones she will never forget. "I was never bored working in the ward and I don't regret not transferring to another unit. Maternity was a wonderful place to work. And if ever I felt stressed, I would just go down to the nursery and watch the newborn babies,'' she said.

"My job was very rewarding. I always insisted on high standards from myself and the other nurses. But we were dealing with people's lives,'' she said.

"And you have to give every baby the best start you can.'' MRS. BERNICE FALL -- "My job was very rewarding. I always insisted on high standards from myself and the other nurses. You have to give every baby the best start you can.''