Doctors’ views on nurse training

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32564, 25 March 1971, Page 6

Doctors’ views on nurse training

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 24. The Medical Association of New Zealand agrees with many of the criticisms made by Dr Helen Carpenter of existing deficiencies in the present system of nursing education, the chairman (Dr Randal Elliott) said in a statement yesterday. “We support the proposal for the continuance of two streams of nursing training for diploma nurses and community nurses. . “We would agree with Dr Carpenter’s opinion as to the desirability of the acceptance of the .diploma' in nursing from the New Zealand School of Advanced Nursing Studies as a prerequisite for admission to university courses leading to a diploma or a degree. “We Would also accept her proposition that there should be an advanced nursing course similar to the pharmacy course already established at the University of Otago,” Dr Elliott said.“We have no objection

to the concept of regional colleges of health science, but consider that these should be directly and closely related to the medical schools. We can see no justification, however, for the apparent divorce of nursing education from medical education.” Dr Elliott said his association was surprised at the suggested composition of a committee to advise the Government on the establishment of colleges of health sciences, and noted with some dismay that the only medical man on the projected committee was the clinical dean of the Otago University Medical School. “The medical profession should be, involved closely at all levels in the planning of nursing education. “We do not consider, that the North American model of nursing education is necessarily relevant or suitable for New Zealand conditions and trust that in the search for improvement to the existing system nurses do not lose sight of the Nightingale tradition of service.”