Hospital Troubles

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume IV, Issue 1, 1 January 1911, Page 1

Hospital Troubles

How greatly the lack of esprit de corps m one member of a body of workers may affect a large number who do possess this spirit so essential for the happiness and well-being of any institution, has been strongly demonstrated by the recent occurrences m the Dunedin and Napier Hospitals.

In each there has been among a small section of the staff, discontent with existing conditions ; and the discontented ones have voiced their grievances m the public ear, with results which were probably quite unforseen by those who so acted.

An unconsidered word ; a half-truth stated ; an old trouble revived ; the ball once started, who can tell when it will stop ? Small things become large are painted as of vital importance ; trifles are magnified until they are unrecognisable ; the dim-

culty of reform is doubled, and there is imhappiness and soreness of spirit.

We do not wish to say that trifles must go unconsidered ; or that small troubles unremedied do not make all the difference between content and discontent m our daily lives. There is, however, a proper way of seeking remedy and reform. Things that rankle like a thorn m the flesh of those who are afflicted by them are frequently not regarded from at all the same standpoint by those who are responsible for them, and who, if they only knew how they were looked upon by those others, would often gladly alter or remove the cause cf trouble.

Nurses, we fear, often show as a discontented body, but as a rule the discontent is merely superficial. Few when put to the test either can or wish to bring up any derl-

nite or legitimate cause for grumbling. It seems to be a habit to make the most of one's troubles, and we seem to think that because we are working m the cause of sick humanity, we must not m our own bed have even a crumpled rose-leaf ; we must not be subjected to the ordinary vicissitudes of life. The ill-cooked or unappetising dinner which we may frequently have to put up with m our homes, must not appear on the table of the Nurses' Horne — quite right, it should not — but is it possible even m the beet regulated house always to prevent it ?

In middle-class households, from which the majority of our nurses are called, domestic arrangements are frequently out of joint, and we have to turn to and cook our dinner ourselves. There is the washing-day dinner, too ; and the hash or curry m which the Sunday joint is finally dressed. Nurses need good fresh food ; their work is trying : Just so, and so also is the work trying of the mother of many little ones ; of the father of a family struggling to make sufficient to provide for his brood ; of the governess, weary with a long day with troublesome children ; of the office girl, tied to her desk or typing machine all day. We must not get into the way of thinking that we alone are to be pitied for our hard work. Pitied indeed ! Nothing makes u^ more indignant than the uncalled-for pity and commiseration it is the fashion to give nurses, who are engaged m the work of their choice ; the wcrk which has the sustaining human interest of caring for the sick, and has also all

the variety of occupation which m itself gives rest. How different a thing it is to sit all day long at a typewriter, for instance, copying out other people's thoughts. Nothing original ; no intellect called for : and to work m a hospital ward, where each hour there is something fresh to be done, and opportunity of exercising some individual thought and spontaneous effort.

to return to the bringing forward of complaints m a proper manner, so that an opportunity will be given of redress without the trouble coming before the public, and so being magnified a hundredfold.

Nurses have first their matron : It is she to whom they should appeal, and through her all complaints of things which are beyond her power of remedy should go to the medical superintendent, and finally to the hospital board.

Most matters need never go so far ; but should all redress be refused there is still another authority to whom an appeal can be made : There is the Registrar of Nurses. It is his duty to protect the interests of the nurses of the Dominion, and it is also his duty to see that those employed m hospitals are properly and justly governed. No appeal should be made to him without being first, or at the same time, made to the governing body of the hospital. Royalty to the institution must be the first and principal consideration, and redress gained at the expense of that loyalty would not be worthily gained.