JUVENILE EMPLOYMENT

Evening Star, Issue 22379, 1 July 1936, Page 2

JUVENILE EMPLOYMENT

NURSING No. 17. These articles, which are supplied by the Dunedin Vocational Guidance Association, will each Wednesday deal with one avenue of .employment. Persons requiring further information on the subject may obtain it by writing to the Vocational Guidance Officer, Y.M.C.A. Buildings, Dunedin. This article will advance the suggestion that no other after-school career can possibly bestow as complete a prejiaration for life as does a nurse’s training. The nurse is engaged in an intensely interesting profession, and has the further satisfaction of being engaged in work of real value. More than most other people nurses are satisfied- with their choice of occupation. This definitely is a woman’s work and undertaking, and no girl is displacing a man from his livelihood. Besides being a Hospital' for the car© of the sick,' the Dunedin Hospital is also a school: of nursing. A brief- review of the advantages accruing to girls entering this sghool might be of interest. In the first place, as already rioted, this is a unique preparation for future years. In whatever circumstances she may be placed a nurse’s training makes her self-re-diant, with abilities developed to meet almost any emergency. A daily appreciation of real values is acquired, and stability follows. Poise is perhaps the word best to describe the outstanding quality of her bearing and attitude. Perhaps a young woman starting in her nursing career does not consciously consider these characteristics, but they must attract. - A real advantage enjoyed by a pupil nurse is the acquiring of a professional training without expense to her parents. ' It is no small thing to be able to enjoy all the preparation of her profession absolutely without payment of a premium or fees of any kind. The cost of text books, lecture notebooks, and suchlike is much less than in any other course. A second i consideration is that the hospital provides residence in a modern well-furnished nurses’ home. This provides a community life, lacking in any other professional course in the city. It is a frequent criticism that too many students in our University make no contact with their fellows except in classrooms. A young nurse is living in a community, and enjoys the stimulation and enrichment such a life alone can offer. The nurses’ home is an attractive building of three stories with sunny balconies. There are ample bathrooms with an abundance of hot water. Comfortable sitting rooms are provided, besides a recreation room for dancing and other social entertainments, and a well-kept asphalt tennis court. This truly is a home, a place where- one turns for sweet companionship and freedom from care. *A girl slips into a regular, ordered life and learns that all community living has responsibilities, which, after all, seem to go with privileges. A uniform is provided and kept in repair by the Hospital; underclothing and footwear are the trainee’s personal responsibility. In addition, the nurse’s health is carefully watched by the authorities, and in sickness she receives free medi-, cal attendance and care. Some years ago the Sydney ‘ Bulletin ’ commended the Dunedin Hospital as being the only one in New Zealand or Australia making any attempt to give nurses postural training. All nurses in the Dunedin Hospital contribute to a Government superannuation fund, the ernploying body paying two-thirds of the contributions. Should the young woman leave the board’s employ she may continue a member of the fund as her own responsibility. As far as the exigencies permit, a nurse is given four days off duty each month. Should this not be possible for any reason, then the days missed are given off whenever possible, or perhaps added to the three weeks’ annual holiday. On entering her new life the pupil nurse passes into the care of n sister tutor. The first fortnight is occupied by lessons and simple nursing tuition, to give some idea of what is expected of her. During the third and fourth weeks the pupil is taken to the wards for a few hours weekly, there to receive further lessons in nursing and ward work. In this manner a gradual acquaintance is made with the realities of sick-ward nursing. The first year is largely one of introduction to studies arid work. In addition to teaching in the theory and practice of nursing procedure, lectures are given by members of the medical staff in anatomy and physiology and bacteriology. _ Twice yearly examinations are held in anatomy and physiology for those who have completed one year on duty. In the second arid third years lectures are given in medical and surgical subjects, diseases, and nursing, and in the nursing of specialist cases. Classes are attended in dietetics and the practice of invalid cookery.' The Hospital final examination_ is set for the end of three years’ training, three months after which the nurse sits for the State examination. The fourth year’s training in the school is optional, and provides special training in ward management and l senior work in the operating theatre. Maternity nursing is almost generally undertaken by nurses who have already passed through a course of general training. Few women are trained solely for this work. In her fourth year of hospital training a nurse may > take a six months’ course of maternity training. Now all the foregoing has dealt with the advanages of the profession, and what the nurse in training receives. Thought might be given as to what the young woman herself must contribute. In the first place, she must have sound physical condition, and be of not less than average height and stature, and) not under 19 years of age. Education should be of University entrance standard. The candidate must have a bright and happy appearance and disposition, and be able to bear patiently the whims and care of sick people. The young nurse needs to be able to work, for nursing is hard work, and at the same time keep up her studies. Above all, a girl should engage in this noblest of professions only if it is her vocational choice. Only then will she be able to meet the “ hosts of sorrow ” and yet keep her smile and confidence to help those who suffer. # During the past five years the Vocational Guidance Association has introduced several girls to nursing ns a profession, and all are more than satisfied with the conditions of their work and with their choice. Next week’s article will deal with the confectionery trades.