Demand for Karitane Nurses Greater Than Supply

Chronicle (Levin), 3 April 1948, Page 3

Demand for Karitane Nurses Greater Than Supply

Tlie Karitane Nurses' Bureaux piroughout New Zealand were set up in an endeavour to place the Karitane Nurses available for cases to the "best advantage to the commuitv. Sincc the ineeption of the Bureau system every elfort has been made to help ,thc mothers with new babies and those requjring the speeiai care of a Karitane trained nurse. The demand for the services of Karitane nurses eontinues to be much greater than the number available. Although there is no lack of reeruits for training, the employment of Karitane nurses in private and publie maternity hospitals in order to cope with the serious shor-, tage of trained staif and the high inarriage rate among the nurses, reduees the number available for private easing. The Bureau established in Wellington seFves the area of New Zealand from New Plymouth across to Gisborne and , South to Nelson and Blenheim. Residents of Palmerston North requiring the services of a Karitane nurse should make application direct to the Karitane Nurses' Bureau in Wellington whieh is at the main Plunket Rooms in Kent Terrace. Because of the shortage of nurses, it'is not always possible to assign a nurse to each person requesting one. However, by making early application to the Bureau Secretary njost applications are now made when bookings for the maternity home are made — desefving cases are assured of receiving the fullest cohsideration. The Bureau will not undertake to supply nurses. for cases other than thos$ requiring the speSiai skill of a Karitane nurse. It is not possible to allocate nurses for the care of children while the parents are ou holiday as this work can be done by, a reliable person without Karitane training. '