Hospital Nurses’ Hours

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 201, 22 May 1936, Page 13

Hospital Nurses’ Hours

Sir,—l should like to thank your cotrespundeut "Student.” tor his able letter <m this subject. He has brought a very vital matter to the notice of the public. Ten hours a (lay, seven days a week, are the hours worked by many nurses in wellorganised private hospitals, but, in most hospitals, anything up to 12 ami 13 hours a (lay is expected. Once a week, a nurse has what is termed a half-day, that is. she works irom G in the morning till 2 p.m.. an eight-hour duty, and is then given a ■ iinl£-(iay,” forsooth' Night: duty is. in most case.-, a 12-hour one, with one late night per week, when Hie nurse is free till 11 p.m. "Half-days" are not compulsory, but are given in most hospitals. There are no regulations laying down the hours to be worked in private hospitals. With regard to trainees in public hospitals, many nurses are forced to abandon their training as the work is so arduous, It is truly only the fittest among them who survive their four years of service. Quite often, in private hospitals, where no night staff is kept, the day staff have to take it in turn to answer bells, and admit patients, if these arrive during the night. it might be said that nurses are foolo to accept, these conditions, but anyone endeavouring to improve matters is just politely shouldertxl aside, or, more often still, told tbat “the true spirit of nursing is dead." How often have we heard that phrase, when nurses have protested against gross ox-ploitation. Evidently, the high ideals which permeate all true nursing service are intended to make us accept existing conditions with a cheerful smile, and many nurses do, but I am one concerned more with realities than ideals. —I am. etc., REGISTERED NURSB Dannevirke, Jlay 19.