NURSES AND HOSPITALS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1366, 17 February 1912, Page 9

NURSES AND HOSPITALS.

Sir,—Whilst reading your issue of Friday I saw that your Palmerston North correspondent reported Mr. J. G. Wilson, chairman of the local Hospital Board, as having made the following statement:— "Tho chctrman stated it was hardly fair to tho board that nurses, after having been trained in the hospital, should leave practically as soon as they passed their examinations." Well, sir, with your parmission I would like to say a few words in regard to this statement. As an expatient in tho hospital, I saw a good deal of the nurses' life whilst on duty, and some of the work they arc called on to do is not of the most pleasant nature. In fact, if a maid in a private house were asked to do one quarter she would at onco give notice to her mistress. _ Then, again, if a nurse wishes to get on in her profession she must liavo larger scope to gain experience. I don't wish to belittle tho good work done in this institution, but must state that as far as up-to-date appliances are concerned the hospital is sadly behind the times. After spending some weeks here I went into that fine hospital at Newtown. Wellington, where, thanks to tho skill and attendance of both doctors and nurses, I was seen Tf'tored to the greatest asset procurable, that being good health. Another point is_ this, that as promotion here is almost; an impossibility. liurws have no other option than to look for advancement in other districts. Trusting ynu will find spare in your columns for these few remarks. Thanking yon in anticipation.—T am, etc., STANLEY WRIGHT. Polmerston Notth, February 10, 1512.