A PLEA FOR THE PARTLYTRAINED NURSES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 150, 26 June 1915, Page 3

A PLEA FOR THE PARTLYTRAINED NURSES

TO 188 EDITOR. Sir,— May I t through your paper, voice the sentiments of three partly-trained nursee. I noticed in this evening's Post an item regarding ten-hour duties for nurses on account of the hardship in finding nurses. In this case the rules and' regulations of hospitals are to be set. aside during this serious war. Why shouJd not these nurses, who are willing to help, and who are partly trained, bs installed in the vacancies? For instance, one of the "three partly-trained nurses" was trained for two years and a half, and then, on account of illhealth, had to give up her profession for the time being, but has since been doing private nursing. - Why, may I ask, should this nurse, who is willing, not be allowed to fill up one of the vacancies made by her more fortunate sisters, who are leaving -to do their duty to our wounded ? Another one of the trio had experience in hospital work in' England, and has been for tho past three years in a private hospital in our city. She has *done from a probationer's work to assisting in. the operating theatre. The third of the trio has been in private hospitals and engaged in private nursing for the* past seven years. There are, no doubt, many similar cases. Why should not these nurses have a chance of doing their duty to our wounded by filling up the vacancies of public institutions? Perhaps if the public authorities had this matter put before them through your paper they might see their way to do away with the strict regulation regarding four years' training. Why, may 1 ask, could not the 1 first year be done away with and let girls start from where the doctors and matrons may consider them capable? Hoping you will do what you can fop: the partly-trained nurses. — I am, etc., A HELPEB OF A GOOD CAUSE. Wellington, 23rd June.