Overworked and Underpaid

NZ Truth, Issue 1238, 22 August 1929, Page 6

Overworked and Underpaid

THERE is no higher form of public service than that rendered by the nursing profession, yet none that is more hedged about with irksome and onerous conditions. Owing to their nerve-racking and physically exhausting duties, the" hospital nurse's profession is the most overworked of all. At 1 the same time, it must be borne m mind that such duties have no ! parallel m any other profession. The work of the nurse is rooted m the spirit of sacrifice and compassion for the sick and suffering, and therefore it is difficult to ; apply rigid principles of industrial regulation m defining and restricting the scope of her duties. . Conceding all this, there is, nevertheless, ground for the belief that Hospital Boards have not fully appreciated tho onerous duties performed by the nurses. There are hundreds of: splendid young women m hospitals who are poorly paid, receiving less than a second-year office boy. They work long hours under trying conditions and have little leisure. A case recently .came under "Truth's' notice of a young woman who ap? plied for a probationary position m a private hospital. The salary offered was £1 per week, while the hours were 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and two extra hours on alternate nights. Two hours off each day, one half day per week and every second Sunday afternoon off were the concessions. Is it surprising that the public incline to the view that nurses are exploited and "sweated?" Under such conditions as those cited, no wonder so niany nurses break down m health. The general policy m relation to nursing staffs must be replaced by a more generous and considerate system. The question of expense will be raised, of course, but the ratepayers of the Dominion for -whom the nurses m public hospitals labor would not grudge a small /increased rate necessary to provide adequate remuneration and reasonable' working conditions. There seems to be no valid reason why private 'hospitals should not be brought under a system of control similar to that exercised over public institutions. The Health Department has a duty to perform to the noble wpmen who enter the nursing profession, and the Minister is urged to put m hand the measures required to remove the hardships under which hospital nurses now labor. y ? . '/