NURSING NEEDS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30390, 14 March 1964, Page 2

NURSING NEEDS

Practicality Essential “Education is not enough to make a good nurse, but it Is becoming increasingly important,” the Medical Super-intendent-in-Chief (Dr. L. McH. Berry) told graduands at the Christchurch School of Nursing graduation ceremoney. “Whatever is done in the way of educational requirements for nursing, the practical nurse is still essential. “A good nurse must be sympathetic and understanding and cater for all the little extra needs of the patient, spoken or unspoken.” said Dr. Berry. “Education qualifications alone are not enough; you must learn to be a good pillow-thumper, a good back-rubber, and an extra-cup-of-tea-maker to become a good nurse.” Hold Reputation “Remember you are the ones who give the hospital its reputation,” Dr. Berry told the graduands. “You are in constant contact with the patients and we depend on you for the reputation of the institute. A careless word or deed can destroy this reputation." The chairman of the North Canterbury Hospital Board (Dr. L. C. L. Averill) conSratulated the graduands on ehalf of the board. “It is essential for young people to get some qualifications in the profession of their choice and make a standing in life no-one can take away from them,” he said.