NURSES' SPELLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 282, 29 November 1938, Page 12

NURSES' SPELLING.

" EXCEEDINGLY BAD." OPINION OF EXAMINERS. NEW METHODS ADVOCATED. TTo-pilh 1 nurse* may lit , tender nml ■'it|>ii)>lo in their chic t'f u patient suffering fi"''in nrthriti", lethnrjriea enecpluilit U id" pneumonia, hut it does nut nepesshiilv menu tlmt they can spell the

111 i i \VH« l"i'\ chliml lit Illsf OSOlliUff'-t mi'Hili" nf t lli> Auckland FCn-pital Boai» when ii report wm received from thi , I'liii irmiiii of the liiin id of pxiiuiiiiors in <c ■ 1111 cc ti• >11 willi nur-e-' pxniuinat ioria, Kpgrrt win expressed in the report, tluil Mr. KeniiPtll Mackenzie had re-Miined frum tin , position of. lecturer to the nuriPfl ami clmirnuiii of the hoard of

"I he Una uiinuiia opinion of those ivlm have been for many yeniH the nurses is that even in the more iicU Miitajji'oiisly educated ones the spelling i- -o exceedingly bad that in sum" i- - it Inn been di'fficult for an .-Nam inn t.. interpret what the written word nieiint." (lie report stated. The opinion ua- e\pre-»ed that this serious defect win due to (lie teaching of spelling by the plioiii'tic s\»tein. "Whilst it may readily be admitted that the phonetic system enables teachers in the primary schools to achieve early results, if, doen not ecjuip those goinj; out into the world with the abil-

ity to eonvey In writing—this is. spelling—what they subsequently learn," the report added, in urpinjj that lipht projectors and an epidiascope be provided for the teaching of the nurses.

The board of examiners, supported by the medical superintendent, the matron and the tutor sister, it was stated in the report, were unanimous in asking tho Hospital Board to provide in the proposed new nursei' home a suitable and well-equipped educational centre.

When Mr. W. K. Howitt moved that the board express appreciation of Mr. Mackenzie's services, the chairman. Mr. Allan Moody, pointed out that the board has not yet been officially advised of the resignation. He agreed) however, that Mr. Mackenzie had done excellent work.

Referring to that teaching could be more efficaciously carried out by the use of light projectors and an epidiascope, Dr. J. P. Hastings said that the phonetic system was accepted by many advanced teachers, and it w,as apparent that there was a controversy between the practitioners of the different methods.

Mrs. M. M. Dreaver eaM that she was interested in the new system advocated and would like more information. If it would be helpful for the nurses it should be investigated. Dr, Hilda Northcroft said that the Auckland branch of the British Medical Association had a plant, which was housed at the hospital, and the cost of which was £500. No doubt .this could be hired for the use of the nurses, but she did not think the board would be justified in incurring the expense for a new plant.

Ihe chairman characterised the lcttei a» nothing but * mass of words.

No action wan taken, in the matter.