HOSPITAL NURSES' HOURS.

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 159, 20 July 1897, Page 2

HOSPITAL NURSES' HOURS.

TO THE EDITOR. SlK,—At the meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board last Thursday, Mr llerrics referred to the long working hours of the hospital nurses. The fact of a body of women in such a publio institu tiou working twelve hours a day for seven days "a week is, according to existing ideas of working hears, an anomaly which ought to be rectified as soon as possible. As well as working twelve hours the nurses have to study in preparation for examination?, and this in itself is no small item. Under such circumstances as the mines work I consider eight hours per day quite sufficient for any women to work, Ifesides having Sunday and .sundry other days free from Work, we have wisely chosen to have one half-day each week to indulge in recreation after work. But the nurses participate in none of these benefits, and the result is that the question of the nurses' health was brought, up by Mr Hcrries ; for it is apparent to several members of the Hospital Board that some of the nursis are not enjoying that robust health which is the fine '/mi lion of j. successful career in their occupation. Perhaps this ill-health is owing party to the recent busy time at the hospital, but the fact remains that the nurses have 100 much work and not enough recreation. If, according to Mr Hcrries' hypothesis, the hospital is to be "run on the economical tack," I consider such policy extremely short-sighted, when the result will most likely he temporary if not permanent injury to the muses' health. The success of such institutions as hospitals is proportionate to the ellieiency of the stuff, and it behoves the Waikato Hospital Board to sec that this branch is thoroughly attended to if our hospital is to maintain its hitherto splendid reputation. The fact that an extra certificated nurse was brought from Auckland a short time ago is sufficient evidence that work at the hospital is increasing, and that an increase in the nursing staff is needed. The Waikato r«nple have always acted generously when called upon on behalf of our most popular institution, and 1 hope they will be generous again, and that they will give the subject of my letter a measure of consideration that will result in a shortening of the " nurses' working hours." —1 am, etc., ViVAUiTi:.