NURSES' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24205, 25 January 1940, Page 16

NURSES' UNION

PROPOSED FORMATION PRESENT TIME INOPPORTUNE An earnest appeal to nurses throughout New. Zealand to sink their personal ambitions for the good of the community as a whole is contained in the editorial of the latest issue of the New Zealand Nursing Journal. " The past year for the New Zealand Registered Nurses' Association has been fraught with many anxieties and problems, .not the least of which has been the momentous matter of the proposed Nurses' Union," it states. "It would appear that with all the difficulties to be faced in supplying the requirements of the nursing services both for civil and military purposes, the time is not opportune to make any drastic changes in the organisation of the nursing profession. But even if it proves necessary to postpone any action, the experience gained by the association in connection with the negotiations and in studying all aspects of the condition of the nursing service will be of inestimable value. "The association has been by its work on this problem greatly strengthened and unified. ' Nurses generally may feel confident that if the organisation of the professions remains.unaltered for the time being the association will carry on its work more effectively, for the past year's experience, and will not relax its efforts to improve conditions and safeguard the interests of all nurses, so far as possible, at the present time. "When all members of the community are being called on to sink their personal ambitions for the good of the community as a whole, it is, hoped that all will be willing to,cooperate and give loyal service in whichever branch of the profession they are called upon to serve. A number of nurses have been called, up for military service abroad and. without doubt, will be called upon to do long hours of duty under anything but ideal conditions, and we feel sure these nurses will face all emergencies with cheerfulness and courage. " Those who are left behind to carry on the work on the home front will also, no doubt, have to give extra service in this time of emergency, and we feel confident they also will do this cheerfully. ,' . .-• "At no time in the history of New Zealand has it been more necessary for its people to stand closely together and all nurses are asked to demonstrate their unity and loyalty by standing firmly by'their professional organisation during the coming year."