NURSES' HOURS OF DUTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22435, 3 June 1936, Page 17

NURSES' HOURS OF DUTY

Sir,— Kindly allow me space to say that I have read with interest the letters published lately, dealing with the above subject. I would like to enter a protest against the long hours worked by nurses in private hospitals, also some cottage hospitals, lu these places, usually understaffed, the nurses work long hours, 12 to 14, very often, and often doing the domestic work of the hospital as well as tending the patients. The night nurse, where there is one kept, fares no better, as she works her 12 hours and then sleeps as best she can, often coming on duty at night again, almost as tired as when she went off duty in the morning. Nurses in private hospitals make more sacrifices in the way of pleasures, etc., on account of the longer hours of duty, but are as poorly paid as any of the other nurses, t, for one, hope the Government considers the shorter hours for this branch of worker, who needs it more than some of the other working girls. Private Hospital Nurse.