HOSPITAL NURSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 104, 1 May 1920, Page 14

HOSPITAL NURSES.

(To tlie EdUor.) ;: Sir.—With reference to tlio article '■'.'. entitled "The Hospital Xuree," which '." appeared in your issue of the 2fith inst., ' I should like' to mention that the principal met= laid down as representing the nurses' complaints were not opinions ; voiced by the majority of our numbers. •;-In carrying on the work of every • organisation there i* a tendency to dis- - ro'rd. This we realise; and, by a little ■-'■' tact and a little patience, petty griev- '.'. anoes nwv be corufdered, and wrongs '',', Righted. In our caee, this hae been done. "Among a large nunibor of co-workers it I, is Impossible to gratify the wishes of all '!.', —the voice of the majority must be *i heard in order that harmony may be re- !) stored, and in our case we repeat it has |) been done. Discussing the complaint re- ■ ferred to of our having to work nine i hours a day for seven days a week, we '■'. do not consider this hard. We do not • : wish ourselves classed among those who ,'. drudge for a mere living—we take up :;: our work for the love of it, and for the ;. sake of being trained and becoming V. efficient in our choeen work. Between 3 j; p.m. and G a.m. on the following day we »i find ample timn for both leisure and ■•'■ study, also finding the early rising " healthy and invigorating. In fact our "-', board members have considered the proV. poeal of allowing us a full day off duty ;; each month, having promised to do so in j; the near future if possible. In this we •■ await their decision. In relation to ■ another complaint mentioned, those who believe that our diningroom has any desemblance to a "shearing shed" we would invite to inspect the spacious, well-lighted and well-furnished room referred to. We have a home sister who ;; hae given up her time and untiring •; pneigy for months past to beautifying - our diningroom, and by 6O doing has given us a room of which we may well So"pf'oud, with it dainty decorations, iricluding palms and fernj, curtaine and spotleee table-linen. With reference to other points mentioned in the article, ..we are silent, trusting that the above "remarks have answered for all. In con- .", cfrision, ma-y we mention that, ac a ■band ;; of fellow-workers, with officials we •; respect and trust, we prefer to discuss ■ our personal matters among ourselves • rather than have nur mukh upon the lhis of the public of Auckland. Aβ one of the nurses of the Auckland Hospital I have voiced the opinions and feelings of those with whom I live and work.—l am, etc., ONE OF THE NURSES.