SHORTAGE OF NURSES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 28 November 1938, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF NURSES

HIGHER PAY PROPOSED MORE ATTRACTIVE UNIFORMS LIVING-OUT ALLOWANCES Proposals to increase the .salaries of the nursing staff, to grant special allowances to those living out and to introduce more attractive uniforms were appiuved by the Wellington Hospital Board. Before the proposals can be carried out, however, the consent of the Health Department must he obtained. Introducing the subject on behalf of the house and staff committee, Mr A. Croskery said that the matron had drawn attention to the danger of short staff, particularly in an emergency, and had expressed the opinion that the number of nurses in the wauls should be increased. The committee had on several occasion.-- considered the shortage of nurses, said Mr Croskery. It found that dental purses and teachers in training received a living allowance in addition to wages. With these lucrative positions open to young women, the board sooner- or liter would have to face trp to the position. Nurses’ wages should be increased, he suggested, atid an endeavour should he made to secure as many as possible who could train at the hospital but live at home iti Wellington. “When does the board intend facing up to the 40-hour week for nurses ’’ askel Mr .1. Purvis. The Chairman Mr J. Glover: The matron is of opinion that d she could get 100 nurses the 40-hour week could be put into operation at the end of three, or at the most six months.