QUALIFICATIONS OF NURSES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 August 1933, Page 4

QUALIFICATIONS OF NURSES

STANDARD OF EDUCATION “There is a danger to democracy in this,” said Mr George Dash at the monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital Board when a letter was received from the secretary to the Nurses’ and Mid-Wives’ Registration Board (Mr J. W Buchanan) suggesting that preference should be given in the selection for training purposes to persons who had received a good secondary education (reports the “Press”). The letter stated that at a meeting of the Nurses’ and Mid-Wives’ Registration Board the standard of education required of persons taking up such work was given further consideration. A return compiled from practically all training schools showed that a big percentage of applicants had received two or more years’ secondary education. The board was satisfied from evidence available that at the present time the standard of education was improving. The writer had been instructed to advise all hospital hoards that while the board was-

satisfied witli the education standard required of applicants for training of pupil nurses at- the present time, it desired that .boards should . specially keep in view, the necessity for a high educational, -standard and that those accepted fSr training should as' far impossible be taken from those who had had a good secondary education. Mr Dash said that such a proposal meant placing a bar against those whose parents had been unable to provide them with a good education, and there was thus in it a danger to democracy. ; Mr J. T. Hay said that in the case of nursing temperament meant more than a secondary education. It was decided that the letter be received. . •