STANDARD OF NURSING MUST BE KEPT HIGH

Chronicle (Levin), 6 February 1947, Page 8

STANDARD OF NURSING MUST BE KEPT HIGH

DUNEDIN, Feb. 5..' "If we-are to maintain our nursin;, standard internationally, we must no, in any way lower it,.' ' said Miss M. 1. 'Lambie, director of the Division o. Nursing,, D'epartment of Health, whei. adldressing the eonference of Hospita,Boards at Dunedin today. "The standing of nursing in New Zealand is no higher than in G-reat Britain-. In fact several New Zealand nurses have been, refused registration in New York State because their standard was noL sufS.ciently high." I Miss Lambie 's remarks were prompted by a remit from Auckland wjjich contended that the stand'ard reqnireu in the theoretieal examination for nurses was too high and suggested a more praetieal qualifying examination for consideration by the Nurses' anw Midwives'' Registration Board. The-amou-nt of study required of a pupu nurse, it was stated, was almost certainly dissuading many young won,ien from undertaking nursing. The opinion of delegates was fairiy evenly divided on the subject and ii was eventually deeided to refer it to a meeting of medical superintendents foi a report on eonference. Hospital boards were largeiy con cerned about the standard set fo; nurses because of the present staffing situation, said Miss Lambie. In the. last five years the number of hospital beds had increased from 5400 to 8600, resulting in a necessary increase in tlm number of nurses in training from lSOnto 3400 at a time when girls in th 18 to 25 age group was deereasing in number and eon'ipetition frum oliic. employers of female labour was much keener. The nursing eurriculuin hau been revised four years ago after it lia . been thoroughly discussed and referreu to. matrons and medical superintendentr. of training schools. In th'e last four preliminary State exaihinations 2262 nurses had sat and only 89 were total failures in two papers. Most of the failures meant that these girls were not suitable to continue in the professioo In the last four linal State examina tions, of 1547 who sat, only 80 weiv complete failures and these could sit the examination again as many Hines as they wished, few failing eventually to pass. It was koped to introdiiee pre-nursing eourses in secondary schools throughout New Zealand, Miss Lambie added, and this would probably be done towanls the end of this year. The edurse would be for girls who had reached ihe age of 16. This would bring girls ln eontacl with hospitals and create a hospital atmosphere, maintaining the interest of girls until they reached IS when thev could be accepted for training as nurse> in hospitals.