OUR HOSPITAL NURSES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2990, 12 September 1891, Page 3

OUR HOSPITAL NURSES.

TO THE KDITOIt. Silt,—Plnnso allow me a littld space in your valuable paper to surest to our Hospital Itiiard a dos-irablc reform in the management of the. nursing stalF, and that is in shorten ing the hours of their duty. Now, Sir, we lio.ir a lot jiidl nmv about hliujj and factory J'.ills. These things w>: all kimw are br night in to reduce the hours of feinnli' labour, and grind id.'iis they arc, but I. think hospitals oujrlit. to have been included in tliiuri ; it is a sli.nne th.it our nurses nhould b« kept on duly for tuvlvo hours » day fur .seven days in Ihn week with no holidays on Sundays, Chiistmas or any other days, while their sUprs in the workroom are not allowed to be worked over S hours 'i day lor .six ij.i.ys in the week with Sunday ami plenty <>i other holidays to themselves besides, Souui may think that nursing is not hard woilt, if so, let them do r.ight duty for SI hmiis for one week only, nnd then sup if Ihryare not tired and weary when the w.vk i< up. We am all proud of our Hospital and our doctor, and last but not least, of our nuinvs ; and we who visit the grandest institution in Waikato know that tho loving earn and kindness of the nurses often docs muro for the patients than the doctors' medicine. What I would sut'gest H, to make tho hours of duty for tho r.urses 8 hours a day, this can be done by adding another nurse to the stall which will then be six ; two can tie on duly and four off, this would give them a chance for a little recroation whbli they want more than many others, for wo all know how depressing it is to bo always among tlm sick. Homo (if the members of the Hospital Boaid may object to this suggestion on the score of extra expense, but if wo cannot afford to do thia wo certainly cannot afford to throw away money in helping to support a lot of bastards. "Mnpinif thut others will take this matter .ip and Mint y.u will give your valuable help to it,—l remain, yours truly, Visitor.