NURSES MEET

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1936, Page 18

NURSES MEET

UNANIMOUS DECISIONS

A largely-attended and enthusiastic meeting, of the Wellington branch of the Registered Nurses' Association was held at the Nurses' Residential Club this week to'discuss the advisability of altering the constitution to allow of all pupil nurses being admitted as associate members of the association.

Miss' Bickriell (president) outlined the objects of the association, and stressed the advantages which had already accrued to members through the work of the association during the 27 years since its foundation. The friendly co-operation of the Department of Health with the . Registered Nurses' Association had been a very important factor in the enviable position enjoyed by the New Zealand nurses, and which had resulted in many benefits to themi

The following resolution was passed unanimously:—"That the rules of membership be amended to provide that all pupil nurses,in training, also maternity trainees, be admitted, as associate members of . the New Zealand Registered Nurses' Association, with their' own representatives on the committee, who will-place their opinions .before the parent body." It was also resolved to. include Karitane nurses as associate members.

Reference was made to the recent award in New South Wales, where nurses' hours and conditions are far

inferior to those obtaining in New Zealand.

Many questions were asked' and views expressed during a most interesting meeting.

Miss Bicknell closed the meeting by putting; before members the choice of adhering to. their association, or of being compulsorily formed into an industrial union. , She also conveyed a message from the Minister-of Health saying he was quite in sympathy with the work the association was doing.

All present decided to support the association in, its efforts to preserve its status as at present. A large number of nurses, it was stated, have been approached, and the feeling is quite unanimous and decided. >