HOSPITAL NURSES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 8, 4 October 1918, Page 6

HOSPITAL NURSES

Sir,—l agreo with whr.t has been written in your paper about the pay of probationers and nurses. The pay is inadequate, and the strain, what with eight and often more than eight hours' work for seven days a week, 'attendance on lectures and compulsory study, is great, and most nurses are at break-ing-down point, when their three weeks' leave comes. But besides and beyond this the nurses in the Wellington Hospital havo to put up with potty restrictions and inconveniences which are unnecessary. Their position would ue much more bearable and pleasant if their comfort and convenience were a little more studied. It is a wonder to mo that the nurses are able to ;:ct through tlie work that they do. Of course, some break down, and somo are discouraged and leave. What else can you expect? The present matron, Miss Stott, has done much to improve niatters, but much remains to be done. Of course, the Hospital Board know nothing about those sort of thingsthe little things that count.—l am, etc.,

A FRIEND

fin respect to letters nliout the conditions of hospital nurses, the chairman of the board (Mr. 11. Baldwin) states that, having made a very full and complete statement about, hospital probationers, lie will not reply any further to anonymous letters by apparently interested persons.]