DIPLOMAS FOR NURSES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19042, 12 December 1923, Page 3

DIPLOMAS FOR NURSES.

CONDITIONS OF STUDY. The Medical and Home Science Committees of the. University Coo noil reported to yesterday’s meeting of that body in regard to a course for diploma in nursing. The report sot out that the diploma was intended for women who aspire to administrative or other specialised positions in their profession. A candidate must have passed the matriculation examination, or, if a registered nurse, must produce evidence of having attained a standard of education which in the opinion of the Professorial Board is sufficient, and must complete a five years’ course of study as follows; Year I.—ln the University, Terms 1 and 2.—lnorganic and Organic Chemistry : Eight hours per week, as for the diploma in Home Science ; Physics, lour hours per week, as for the diploma in Home Science.: Technology of Cookery, six hours per week, as for the diploma in Home Science; Elementary Biology, as for diploma in Home Science. Term s.—As above, but replace cookery by housecraft, in th© Medical School or Hospital. Terms 1,2, and 3Elementary Nursing—principles and methods. Ethics of , nursing. Between October and March three months probationary ward work. ’ Year 2.—University Terms 1 and 2: — Anatomy, as for diploma in Horae Science; Physiology, as for diploma in Home Science; Applied Chemistry (Foods apd Nutrition), six hours per week, as tor diploma in Home Science; Dietetics, six hours per week, as for diploma in Home Science; Hygiene (personal), one hour per week, as for diploma in Home Science; Sanitary Science and Bacteriology, three hours per week, as for diploma in Home Science. Term 3:—As ' 1 and 2, but replace dietetics and sanitary science and bacteriology by laundry work. In Hospital 'or Medical School*; Elementary nursing principles and methods (continued), historical and social basis of nursing, elementary dispensing (drugs and solutions). Year 3.—ln Hospital:—Ward work and general hospital training. Year 4.—ln Hospital: —Ward work and general hospital training. Year 6.—ln University:—Either Social Science, two hours per week, as for degree in Home Science, or Psychology; and Education, two hours per week, as lor diploma in Home Science; practice in addition. In Hospital -or Medical School: —pompletion of hospital training and specialisation in one branch of the nursing proiession—(l) Institutional and nursing educational work. (2) Public Health nursing and social service. (3) Specialised nursing, .a, b, c, d, o, f, and. such other branches as may be approved. The diploma nurses would be granted a pass in lieu of the first nursing State examination (in anatomy and physiology) and would be credited with. six months seniority when re-entering on their hospital training at the beginning of their third year. The final 'State examination would take place in the middle of the ntth year, and the examination in the special branch of nursing at the end of th© filth year. Mr L. D. Ritchie moved an amendment, That the report be referred to the Home Science and Medical Faculties, that report to go to the Finance Committee, and the two reports to go to the council. He remarked that the recommendation of the Home Science Faculty had been departed from, and the Homo Science people should have an opportunity of discussing the matter again with the Medical Committee. He was anxious to see that the steps taken were in the interests of the nursing profession, and that they should move carefully. t ■ Mr J. Wallace seconded the amendment. Dr Marshall Macdonald said that the matter was really one for the. Medical Committee. The recommendation of the Home Science Faculty would have involved the engaging of an extra tutor, and that was under the present recommcndartions obviated without detriment. ,At the same time, he agreed that those ;sections should not be hurried through, and if the nurses wanted the scheme introduced this year they should have brought the matter forward earlier. The amendment was lost and the motion carried. It was agreed to amend the conditions to provide that the exemption from the matriculation examination should apply only to the nurses in practice or in training at the time of the initiation of the scheme. Mr Ritchie gave notice to move the roscision of the adoption of the report.;