NURSING DRAWBACKS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1334, 11 January 1912, Page 9

NURSING DRAWBACKS.

"The only people who find nursing- a satisfactory profession aro those who aro able to obtain capital and become owners of private hospitals, or become matrons ot large hospitals." This sweeping assertion has the backing of the Australian JS'iirsen' Association, a contributor to whoso journal lays bare an alarming phase of the nurse's calling. "Every day one sees women who have gone through a hard training, passed many examinations and gained a good, deal of experience in private nursing, who are doing all they can. to find some"other employment. Some take up housekeeping, some cak , ;- mnking. and others, manicuring or hairdressing." So goes the indictment, which, with a withering scorn, describes nursing as "an excelle-nt n.eans of practising rself-sacrilice." Again:—"Many people are fond of talking alftmt tho thriftless'.ie.?s of the nurse, but it takes a groat deal of self-denial to save enough to provide an income out of two guineas a week. . Unless a woman is exceptionally strong, she cannot possibly work continuously all through the year. Those who have never done private nursing cannot realise what norvo-racking work it becomes; but the thin, worn faces, and the prematurely grey hair of nurses who have done it for any length of time speak for themselves." There is a good deal in this that should give food for somebody's reflection, if it represents the true state of affairs in a profession which stands so high in tho world's appreciation. •