STUDENT NURSES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29673, 17 November 1961, Page 2

STUDENT NURSES

Many Leave To Marry (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 15. A total of 970 nurses discontinued their training during the year which ended on March 31 last, the Minister of Health (Mr Shelton) said today when outlining proposals to relieve the shortage of nurses. He was speaking at the presentation of diplomas at the Post-Graduate School of Nursing. The constant increase of hospital beds was another reason why the nursing shortage was world wide, he said. Marriage had been responsible for most of the 970 nurses leaving in their first to second year of training. While it was not expected to retain every-young woman who entered nursing, it seemed a pity that more could not be induced to stay on. All concerned were con. ridering ways of encouraging nurses to finish training, said Mr Shelton. The Nurses’ and Midwives' Board was also considering the possibility of training nurses for a shorter period, not in an elementary fashion but so that they could take their place as co-workers with registered nurses. Such girls would be general purpose nurses and would work under skilled registered nurses. The scheme could also include the older woman who might be able to work for only three days a week. Overseas, these nurses were known as community nurses because they were trained to work in many fields. Mr Shelton said many girls who left towards the end of their second year might prefer a shorter period of training and this might be a means of helping to keep tore girls.