H.—3l.

PoST-GEADUATE COURSE FOE NIJESES. The 1930 post-graduate course opened with fifteen students ; of these six had bursaries from various Hospital Boards, one from the Health Department, and the remainder came at their own expense ; thus the proportion of nurses who have realized the importance of further training and have been willing to save to take this course has been maintained. The course of lectures and practical experience followed that of previous years, the practical aspect being further strengthened particularly in the subjects of bacteriology, dietetics, and practice teaching. The excellent co-operation given by the Wellington Hospital Board and its staff has been of the greatest assistance in this matter. A further evidence of this desire of the Hospital Board to help was shown in that special quarters — formerly the old massage department —were granted. This has meant that within their own building the Nurse Instructors and students have their own class-rooms and library, adding considerably to their comfort and the ease with which the classes can be arranged. The reports from all the lecturers, including those from Victoria University College, were again a great encouragement to those interested in nursing education. All spoke of the close and attentive work done, combined with, in many instances, marked ability for independent thought. The general standard was on the whole excellent. Unfortunately, owing to the large amount of extra work devolving upon officers of the Department following 011 the disaster at Napier, and to the acute financial depression of the country, it has been considered advisable to postpone the post-graduate course for 1931. I hope, however, that lectures will be resumed in 1932. This course became possible only after many years of striving, and if New Zealand nursing is to keep pace with what is being done in other countries it is essential that it should continue. The course has more than justified its existence, and now that Hospital Boards as well as nurses themselves are alive to its value it would be exceedingly regrettable if anything should occur to prevent its resumption next year. Hawke's Bay Eaethquake. The disastrous earthquake in Hawke's Bay 011 the 3rd February threw seventy-four pupil-nurses of the Napier Hospital out of employment. The task of placing these girls in other hospitals where their training could be continued from the point at which it was broken off devolved upon the Division of Nursing. lam glad to be able to report that, thanks to the most willing co-operation of the Hospital Boards throughout the Dominion and their administrative officers, over sixty were either placed or arranged for within a month after the catastrophe. Of the remainder several decided against continuing their training, and others are not yet sufficiently recovered from their injuries to take up duty. The thanks of the Department are due to the Boards for their very valuable assistance in this direction. It has frequently meant a certain amount of inconvenience to the Matron and her staff to fit in partiallytrained nurses from another hospital instead of carrying out the routine training from the beginning. It has also entailed a certain amount of hardship to waiting applicants whose entrance had to be deferred—though only for six months in the majority of cases. The McHardy Home Maternity Training-school having been put out of commission at the same time, the pupils undergoing training there had also to be found places. Some have since completed their course, and passed with honours the State examination held on the 18th and 19th February. Unemployed Nxjeses. The amount of unemployment among trained nurses is becoming a serious problem. There is no doubt that we are training a far greater number than can be absorbed by this small country, and during the present world-wide depression there is no outlet in other countries as has been the case for some years past. Our nurses have ever since the Great War been eager to seek their fortunes in other lands ; and, knowing the widening influences of travel for the inhabitant of a small and isolated country, I have always encouraged them to do so. This avenue is now indefinitely closed to them, and it would appear that in the future it may become necessary for Hospital Boards to consider the question of employing a larger proportion of trained staff. The cost of buildings could be materially reduced, for a proportion of the trained staff could live out and attend daily for the specified hours of duty, as do women in other walks of life. With a number of girls undergoing training the case is entirely different. They must for their own protection be under supervision and guidance until they have attained a measure of self-reliance and stability. At the present moment the United States is suffering from a surplus of trained nurses, and an investigation is being carried out in order to find some means of overcoming the difficulty and of improving the standard and distribution of nursing services. It is there suggested that a larger proportion of trained nurses would result in more skilled nursing of the sick and more efficient training of the pupil. An inquiry of somewhat similar nature is being held in England, so it will be seen that the question, is a very real one.

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