Qualities Of Nurses Reviewed By Matron

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30389, 13 March 1964, Page 2

Qualities Of Nurses Reviewed By Matron

Though the educational background of those taking up nursing was “of very great importance,” of equal importance was a personality that had kindness, responsibility, intelligence, compassion and a willingness to do whatever was necessary, no matter how hard or unpleasant it might be, the matron-in-chief of the Christchurch Hospital (Mrs M. Chambers) said last evening at the graduation ceremony of the Christchurch School of Nursing.

The best nurses were those who, as well as having the necessary quali-. fications, were imaginative, and could put themselves in their patients’ place. ‘ ‘Patients know best—do you agree?” Mrs Chambers asked the graduates. “Use your imagination. Think, and do your job in the best possible way,”' she advised them. It was possible to “run away with the feeling” that nurses were the main force working in a hospital, whereas there were many others involved in giving service to patients, in many departments and capacities. Contact Envied “Many envy you your close contact with the patients,” said Mrs Chambers. Congratulating those who had graduated, she thanked them for accepting the conditions involved in nursing, which was a 24-hour service. “We do understand and appreciate that nurses’ personal

wishes have to be very secondary, sometimes,” she said. Other speakers at the ceremony were Dr. L. McH. Berry, the recently-appointed Medical Superintendent-in-Chief, and Dr. L. C. L. Averill, . chairman of the North Canterbury Hospital Board. Diplomas and medals were presented to graduates by Mrs Berry. Diplomas and Prizes Diplomas were presented to the following nurses:—J. A. Asquith, P. L. Barr, E. A. Bibby, M. M. Blackburn, J. L. Burney, G. M. CacciaBirch, H. A. Culloty, L. M. Douglas, J. E. Drayton, A. Ferguson, M. C. Ford, L. J. Gibb, P. D. Gilberthorpe, E. L. Glover, P. F. Griffin, J. M. Griffiths, D. F. Haglund, E. M. Hodgen, P. M. Inkson, B. A. Johnston, R. A. Kempthorne, M. J. Kennedy, P. A. Leonard, J. H. Loomes, H. Macallan, R. A. F. Mackenzie, E. H. McLean, M. R. McNaughten, Marcia Narbey, Marianne Narbey, B. V. Norris, E. M. O’Connor, E. J. Palmer, P. E. Palmer, E. G. Power. M. T. Price, D. Reid, J. N. Robinson, J. M. Rogerson, H. W. Simpson, B. J. Smith, E. C. Smith, K. A. Smith, K. D. Smith, Kaylene Smith, L. M. Stow, P. A. Taine, R. G. Thomson, N. Wake, J. C. Walker, J. M. Walker, R. M. Webb, S. M. Webb, G. M. Williams, H. Williamson, P. J. Wilson, S. S. Withell.

The following prizes were awarded: Practical nursing, presented by Registered

Nurses’ Association, Nurse H. Williamson; Hugh Acland prize for surgical nursing, Nurse H. Williamson; Fenwick memorial prize for medical nursing, Nurse P. Gilberthorpe; Wendy Watson memorial prize for obstetrics, Nurse P. Gilberthorpe; class I, Nurse, L. J. Gibb; class 2. Nurse C. Fox-Rogers; class 3, Nurse W. Caesar; class 4, Nurse A. M. Johnson; class 5, Nurse V. A. Milliken and Nurse F. J. Robinson; Florence Nightingale medal, Nurse P. Gilberthorpe.