State Registration in New South Wales

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume 01, Issue 4, 1 October 1908, Page 96

State Registration in New South Wales

The nurses of New South Wales are now, through their Association, drafting a Bill lor the State registration of trained nurses on lines which will be in many ways similar to the one now before Palriament in England, and which will give them representation on the Governing Body or Council which will deal with the matter. By its strong opposition to the Bill to be introduced by Dr. Mackellar, in which the registration of nurses was treated as a secondary, though necessary adjunct to the Bill dealing with the control of private hospitals, the Nurses' Association have succeeded in gaining its point so far that the clauses referring to registration of nurses are to be cut out, and in order to prevent any Bill being passed which would be inimical to the best interests and future gropress of their profession, it will be necessary for nurses themselves to take steps to secure their legal status. Hence the resolution passed at a meeting held on June 25th, " That this meeting is in favour of State Registration on the lines of the statement read to the meeting." A sub-committee was appointed to draft a Bill for presentation to the annual meeting. The nurses in New South Wales do not wish to have a Bill passed for that State only, but when such a measure becomes law, to have the whole Commonwealth included. The regulations for training and examinations for all the States but Victoria, are controlled by the Central Council, and a standard has been set which it would be a very great pity to lower.