Reason For Increase In Nursing Exam. Fees

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31754, 10 August 1968, Page 14

Reason For Increase In Nursing Exam. Fees

The increase in fees for the State final nursing examinations this year was necessary because the income of the Nurses and Midwives’ Board was not enough to cover its expenses, says the secretary of the board (Mr W. P. P. Cleverton), commenting on a letter to the editor of “The Press.” “Are We Registered?”

'.. rote: “As nurses long awaiting results of State finals sat in May, we wonder if our enormous increase in fees was necessary (from $6 in 1967 to $24 in 1968). We were told this would speed results, but if nine weeks is speed are computers really an advantage when balanced against the higher prices which seem to accompany their use.”

The correspondent will have received the result of the examination by now, as they were sent out on July 31 and August 1, Mr Cleverton says. “The board has not stated that the increase in examination and registration fees was effected to cover the cost of using a computer, which indeed results in a saving in the board’s administrative expenses. The increase was

necessary because the board’s income was inadequate to cover its expenses. The deficit had been met from public funds. As you are aware, during the present economic situation, the Government is exercising strict economy, and statutory bodies, such as my board, were requested to institute measures which would enable them to become as financially self-supporting as possible. “This is only the second occasion on which the board has used a computer to process results and there are naturally initial problems to overcome. The examination papers are marked by a panel of markers, who work long hours at high pressure to complete the marking as soon as possible. “The board has not stated that the use of a computer would speed the publication of results, although it hopes that this may be possible in the future. The board will continue to try to ensure that candidates receive results at the earliest possible time,” Mr Cleverton says.