APPEAL TO NURSES TO REGISTER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 15 June 1940, Page 5

APPEAL TO NURSES TO REGISTER

EMERGENCY LIST BEING COMPILED MANY MAY BE NEEDED-IN NEAR FUTURE An urgent appeal for registered nurses throughout New Zealand to cooperate in the compilation of an emergency register has been issued by the Director of Nursing. Miss M. I. Lambie. All branches of the New Zealand Registered Nurses Association throughout the Dominion are requested to compile as soon as possible a complete list of nurses in their respective districts. At the same time, all registered nurses, married or single, actively employed in their profession or otherwise, who have not already enlisted, are urged to communicate immediately with the secretary of their local branch of the association and give particulars about themselves.

Each nurse is asked to give her registered name and full postal address; to state whether she is married or single, and if married to give both her married and her maiden name, or registered name; to give her qualifications; to state whether she is employed or not, whether she is prepared to do whole-time or part-time duty, and whether she is prepared to transfer to another district if necessary.

By registering in this manner, nurses will facilitate the stupendous task of compiling this emergency register. It is stated that many nurses may be required in the near future, and it is incumbent for all registered nurses to make their services available to the Health Department, for whatever purposes they may be required. Inquiries at the headquarters of the nursing division of the Public Health Department yesterday elicted that no special emergency or sudden call had prompted this appeal. Steps had been taken at the outbreak of war to ascertain what nurses were available, but the list compiled then was not sufficiently up-to-date or comprehensive, and it was now being endeavoured to make a complete list.

There are between 7000 and 8000 registered nurses in the Dominion. Of these, about 3300 are on active list, 1500 not at present taking part in their profession, 1500 midwives and 1600 maternity nurses. The class whose activities are most difficult to trace, and the class upon which any emergency call is most likely to be made, is that ol the nurv.es not at present active, having married, retired, or taken on some other occupation. As the other classes are mostly already doing active nursing work, any call upon their members for war work will create vacancies which will have to be filled again. The women who possess the necessary qualifications, and who are free to devote them to the country’s war service, even if it is only by filling a vacancy and so releasing another nurse for service, are those whom it is sought to contact. After their marriage or retirement from nursing it is often difficult for the authorities to keep contact with them, and to know precisely who are available in case of any national emcr-

riie present appeal is an endeavour to keep the nursing service fully prepared for whatever call may be made upon it. at any time.

Registered nurses are urged to write to their local secretary, or to the Dominion secretary. New Zealand Registered Nurses’ Association. Colonial Mutual Buildings, Wellington.

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