University Graduates Wanted In Nursing

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31987, 14 May 1969, Page 2

University Graduates Wanted In Nursing

(New Zealand Press Association)

HAMILTON, May 13.

A suggestion that a special training course be established for university graduates to provide a top strata in the nursing profession was made in Hamilton yesterday by the Deputy DirectorGeneral of Health (Dr G. Blake Palmer).

Dr Blake Palmer was speaking at today’s meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board during discussion on nursing education at university level. Outlining the need for a tier in the nursing profession with higher educational backgrounds—such as nursing administrators and tutors —he said that the suggested establishment of a faculty of nursing in a New Zealand university had “largely foundered” because of cost and maintenance difficulties.

“It is extremely difficult for any university to say it can support such a suggestion, because of existing priorities,” he said. An alternative could be a training system for university graduates interested in the nursing profession. Dr Blake Palmer said that such a course could perhaps be two years in length, with concentration on teaching rather than on the "in-service hospital component in the present nurse-training system.”

Graduates, he said, could have either arts or science degrees. A study of New Zealand universities could show that it could well be possible to establish such a class in the immediate future.

The hospital at which to establish such a training course would then have to be chosen, according to the distribution of interested graduates.

• Dr Blake Palmer said that the course would have to be approved so that the graduate nursing trainees would be able to register according to accepted standards in New Zealand and overseas.

The Waikato Hospital Board’s superintendent-in-chief (Dr J. A. Meade), in reply to Dr Blake Palmer, said the board’s educational committee had considered almost every possibility concerned with university education for nurses except the one suggested by Dr Blake Palmer. The image of the nurse was of widespread concern at the moment, Dr Meade said. Al) intelligent members of the community recognised the need for the elevation and recognition of nursing at university level. The university accolade was needed to attract persons capable of high responsibilities to enter the profession, he said. Later comment on the situation was taken in committee.