KAREN: Why did you decide to become a nurse?

JESSIE: My girlfriend talked me into it.  She said let's go and take this training. After you graduate, you wonder what you're going to do after that.
And, she talked me into it, then she backs out, there I was.  They used to have a nurse PN (Practical Nurse) training in Mt. Edgecumbe, and not very far from where the high school is.

KAREN: So it was a separate program from the high school?

JESSIE: Yes.  Because while I was taking the PN (Practical Nurse) training my younger sisters were in high school in Mt. Edgecumbe. 

KAREN: That's nice to be close to each other.  After your training you said you worked in the hospital as a floor nurse?

JESSIE: Yes, as a LPN in the hospital.

KAREN: What is the difference between a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) and RN (Registered Nurse)?

JESSIE: More schooling. LPN's go for one year and RN's go for three years.
I think that's what -- and they do more the higher up there.

KAREN: So when you went back to Angoon that was after your husband died?

JESSIE: After my first husband passed away.

KAREN: What was his name?

JESSIE: Frank Lane, he was from Point Hope.

KAREN: You moved back to Angoon in what year?

JESSIE:  1962, or 3, because I remarried in ‘64.

KAREN: And his name?

JESSIE: Charlie James, Jr.

KAREN: How did you become the health aide?

JESSIE: Barbara Johnson talked me into it.  They needed one in Angoon.  She  needed help, I believe.  They were going to hire one more.  And she asked me if I could.   And at the time I thought well a little extra money wouldn't hurt.  And, it was just a little extra money.

KAREN: So you actually got paid?

JESSIE: Yes, like a hundred and something a month.

KAREN: Do you remember what year that was when you started?

JESSIE: I believe it was like September of '69.

KAREN: So, who did you work for?

JESSIE: It was like a government thing.  I know we used to get our checks from the government.  And none of the taxes were taken off.  I don't know how that worked.  We didn't have to worry about paying our taxes.

KAREN: Was it the Indian Health Service?

JESSIE: It probably was.

KAREN: Because SEARHC (Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium) wasn't in existence yet.

JESSIE: No.