THE HOURS OF NURSES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1350, 30 January 1912, Page 9

THE HOURS OF NURSES.

Sir,—Allow me to enter my strongest protest against the suggestion that nurses should be worked more than eight hours a day. What are wo coming to in this country? It looks as though everyone and everything connected with sickne-ss is to be penalised. A nurse is bound under pains and penalties for a term of three or four years. She is given a miserablo pittance of a salary, often subjected to most inconsiderate treatment by those in authority, and now some wish to take away from these women tho only compensation which they have had—an eight hours' duty. Even now, in Wellington Hospital, some nurses, work ten hours a day. In ono institution under tho Wellington Board, they work as much as It hours some days, and yet a further increase is talked of. Such suggestions should bo met fairly and squarely, and I for one will fight for fair and reasonable treatment for our nurses.. I see that some of tho boards aro wondering as to resignations coming in—is it to bo wondered at? What inducement is there for anyone to stick to it except' an inbred caro and love for anything weakly found in a true woman's' heart..

Before' closing, I would like to raise a warning 'as well as a protesting voice, and say to those responsible; "Take care."—Thanking you, I am etc;, VIG.