The Daily News. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1920. HOSPITAL NURSES' DRAWBACKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1920. HOSPITAL NURSES' DRAWBACKS.

If there is one class above all others needing the utmost consideration as to conditions of service, remuneration and ample opportunities for rest and recreation, .it i.« the nurses in our public hospi cals, Possibly those members of the community who possess only the superficial knowledge of the daily life of these nurses, gained from occasional visits to a hospital where bright, smiling, energetic young women are seen flitting from case to case in their ceaseless ministrations to the sick and suffering, take it for granted that the nurses must be having a fine time, or they would not look so happy at llieir work. But the move observing of the patients, who realise liow dependent they are on the nurses throughout day and night, see the other side of the picture, and so do the doctors, or at least such of them as give any thought to the matter. If this nursing service possessed the attractions wherewith it is usually credited there would not be that great dearth of recruits (Whioh at tile

present time is seriously affecting the efficient administration of our public hospitals, and has recently evoked from Dr. T. L. Paget, of Palmerston North, a strong plea for such improved conditions that the right class of young women would be eager to enrol as hospital nurses. That, such an occupation demands sacrifices, and involves the risk of infection and possibly death, is well known. It is not these risks that act as a deterrent. They are inherent to the work that has to be performed, and they cannot be eliminated. There are, however, directions in which the lot of nurses can be made less irksome and more in accord with the conditions to be found in other vocations. For instance, the discipline demanded is often more suited to a boarding school than to a body of partially or fully trained women doing very responsible work. In some hospitals, states Dr. Paget, nurses are not' permitted to leave the nursing home or hospital after their hours of work without leave, and it is not long since that in one of our large hospitals nurses were required to stand with folded hands and bowed heads when the matron passed through the wards. There' is no doubt that much depends on the good sense and administrative tact of a matron, and it is a sure sign that the matron has mistaken her vocation when members of the nursing staff are constantly resigning. This is a matter that the Department might well take into consideration. Even under the best conditions a nurse must give up a good deal, but that is no reason why for 343 consecutive days in the year she must slave away for ten or twelve hours each day without a break, and the varying nature of her hours of work and study making it very difficult, if not impossible, to join with others in the many healthful and pleasant occupations open to them. It is suggested that reform in the nursing service should begin with a full day's rest each week, to which could be added an occasional week-end visit to friends, so that the nurses may at least secure a welcome and much-needed break in their work and lie able to associate with their friends. The pay for this important service should at least be that for skilled work, there should be provision for regular increments as well as superannuation. One of the urgent needs so far as hospitals are concerned is that there shall be an adequate Supply of suitable probationers. Lowering the age to eighteen wilt help, but there must be a revision of the hours of service and study so as to allow ample time for recreation, otherwise the young womp will not stand the strain. Reforms may entail some additional expense. Par better so than that the nursing system shall break down owing to the severity of the service. Nurses have as great, if not a greater, claim to proper conditions as any other section of the community.