Presentation of Medals At P.N. Hospital

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 58, 10 March 1943, Page 2

Presentation of Medals At P.N. Hospital

m i .11. FINE STANDARD OF WORK COMMENDED Presenting the medals to the successful nurses at the Palmerston North Hospital yesterday, Mr. J. A. Nash, chairman of the Hospital Hoard, said that the medals were very much prized by all trained nurses. The medal was evidence that the nurse had completed three years and three months’ training and had passed the State examination for nurses in New Zealand. Her name was placed on the register of trained nurses and she was entitled to practise her profession. The term served was not only very interesting but an arduous one. First of all the nurse had to spend four weeks in the preliminary school and then in her first year she studied many subjects such as anatomy, physiology, elementary dia.betes and she had to sit for the preliminary State examination at from 12 to 15 months. At the end of her second yeay she had to pass her training school examination in medical, surgical nursing and diabetics. Then, of course, came the State examination. There was a notable gathering in the nurses’ home for the important occasion which included members of the Hospital Board, relatives and friends of the nurses, ns well as members of the hospital staff. Miss L. M. Banks, matron, received the Visitors. All nurses passing were expected to stay on the staff until they had completed four years which enabled them to earn a hospital certificate. Mr. Nash continued, nurses generally valued these certificates because it w r as evidence that they had served for four years. At the end of four years most of the nurses took the maternity training course, and when this was finished they had reached the top rank. The State examinations so far as the board was concerned, were always highly satisfactory and spoke volumes for the work of the matron and the tutor sisters. Congratulations to Miss Banks Mr. Nash then congi*atulated Miss

Banks on having recently been elected president of the N.Z. Registered Nurses’ Association, as it was a very high honour to receive, not only for Miss Banks, but also for the hospital. Continuing, Mr. Nash said that Miss Banks stood very high in the opinion of the board and medical superintendent. She had trained at the Palmerston North Hospital ana later became a tutor sister, but the line work she did was evidence that here was a matron in the making and she was recommended by Mr. North. Miss Banks had always had a huge responsibility in connection with the nursing at the hospital but she had always risen to the occasion and the board was very grateful to her for the interest she took in the patients and hospital generally. The nurses who received medals were: Misses J. P. Abbott, J. M. Bealing, A. Crow, C. C. Garside, M. D. Gow, N. G. Hawkings, INI: J. Haydon, K. M. McFadden, B. M. Pryor, E. H. Simpson and J. M. Weeks. Other nurses who received fourth year certificates were: Misses J. M. Bealing, D. C. Cleary, A. I. Crow, C. 1). Delanv, A. Z. Fletcher, M. F. Harvey, N. G. Hawkings, M. J. Hayden, J. Jacobs, O. • Mexted, B. M. Pryor, E. M. Reynolds, M. M. Robertson, E. H. Simpson and 1. R. Thompson. Special prizes were awarded as follow: For Practical Nursing (awarded by the Manawatu branch of the Registered

Nurses’ Association): Nurse K. M. McFadden. First in Hospital final (chairman’s •prize): Nui’se J. M. Weeks. First in second year examination (Miss Banks' prize): Nurse Noell. Miss Banks returned thanks to Mr. Nash for his kindly references to herself and the nurses and to the visitors for their attendance. Afternoon tea concluded the gathering.