Oral history interview with Dr. Linda McNeal, 2019

Partial Transcript: Today is Wednesday, June 5, 2019, and my name is Scott Hinshaw.

Partial Transcript: I'd like to start the interview by asking you about your background.

Segment Synopsis: McNeal discusses her early life, growing up in a mill village and her early education through high school.

Keywords: White Oak cotton mill

Partial Transcript: So I recalled, and maybe I already knew.

Segment Synopsis: McNeal discusses how she became interested in nursing as a profession and her experience at Watt's Hospital School of Nursing.

Keywords: Financial aid; Nursing; Nursing Education; Scholarships; Watt's Hospital School of Nursing

Partial Transcript: That's what I did. I came back.

Segment Synopsis: McNeal discusses getting her first nursing job out of school at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro NC in 1965. She discusses what nursing was like in the 1960s and 1970s.

Keywords: Desegregation; male nurses; Moses Cone Hospital; Nursing; social class; University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Watt's Hospital School of Nursing

Partial Transcript: What prompted you to return to school to get a degree?

Segment Synopsis: McNeal discusses her decision to come to UNCG for a BSN degree, her experience there, and the deans and faculty at UNCG's School of Nursing.

Keywords: Dr. Eloise Lewis; Ernestine Small; Margaret C. Moore; Nursing; Nursing education; School of Nursing; University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Partial Transcript: When you came to UNCG for your bachelor's, did you have an idea that you also wanted to pursue a master's?

Segment Synopsis: McNeal discusses her experience in the Master of Science in Nursing program at UNCG which began officially in 1976. McNeal was among the first students to enter and graduate from the program. McNeal also discusses what it took to convince the UNC System that NC should have its own MSN progam.

Keywords: Dr. Eloise Lewis; Ernestine Small; Margaret Klemer; Marjorie Goff Anderson; Master of Science in Nursing (MSN); School of Nursing; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Partial Transcript: So, what did you do after you finished the Master's program?

Segment Synopsis: McNeal discusses returning to Cone Hospital as Assistant Director of Nursing/Director of Staff Development after gaining her MSN degree at UNCG. McNeal served three years in this position. In 1980, McNeal returned to to a staff nurse position, which grew into Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Keywords: Moses Cone Hospital; Nursing education; Russell Eugene Tranbarger

Partial Transcript: 1988, is when you came back to teach at UNCG?

Segment Synopsis: McNeal discusses how she got into teaching at UNCG and the courses and clinicals she taught. McNeal was also working part time at Cone as well during this time.

Keywords: Dr. Patricia Chammings; Ernestine Small; Moses Cone Hospital; Nursing education; School of Nursing; University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Virginia Burke Karb

Partial Transcript: How has nursing education changed over the course of your career?

Segment Synopsis: McNeal discusses the changes that have occurred in nursing education and nursing over her career.

Keywords: Area Health Education Centers (AHEC); Community nursing; Community outreach; Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP); Doris Armenaki; licensing; Master of Science in Nursing (MSN); Nursing education; Union Square Campus; Women

Partial Transcript: Do you think nursing students today are different that in the past?

Segment Synopsis: McNeal discusses the type to students that come through the nursing programs and compares them to students in the past.

Keywords: Adult students; Nursing; Students; Teaching; Technology

Partial Transcript: Can you tell me a little bit about Dean Pearcy?

Segment Synopsis: McNeal discusses leadership in the School of Nursing and changes that have occurred during the course of her teaching career at UNCG.

Keywords: Dr. Lynne Pearcey; Dr. Patricia Chammings; Margaret C. Moore Building; Nancy Courts; School of Nursing; Union Square Campus

Partial Transcript: Well, I do want to ask you about your Ph.D.

Segment Synopsis: McNeal discusses her decision to return to school for a Ph.D in
Counseling and Counselor Education, which she attained in 1997.

Keywords: Adult students; Counseling; Dr. Nicholas Vacc; Teaching

Partial Transcript: I've just got a couple of conclusion questions.

Segment Synopsis: McNeal discusses what she sees as the future of UNCG's School of Nursing and what UNCG means to her.

Keywords: Education; Opportunity; School of Nursing

Partial Transcript: Well I don't have anymore formal questions for you.