Nurses' Association of China

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Issue 2, 1 April 1917, Page 96

Nurses' Association of China

, 111 the copy of report of the seventh annual meeting we have receievd an exceedingly interesting account of the work of the above Association, the members of which appear to have a very lively sense of professional unity. The meeting included a conference on many subjects of deep interest to nurses. The nurses of China are, so far, mostly British and American women who have gone there with the missionary spirit, and many of the hospitals are mission hospitals. An attempt is being made to train the Chinese girls of the upper classes, and preferably Christian girls are taken for training, though this is not always the case, and non-Christian girls have done good work and usually embraced Christianity. There are male nurses for the male wards, women nurses not yet being used for nursing men. A very interesting address was delivered on one afternoon, the Chinese men and women nurses of Shanghai being present, by Miss Clark, of the Shantung Road Hospital, Shanghai. She said in part: "The time has come in China when girls as well as boys have the opportunity of choosing a profession, and of doing something for their country. China needs great teachers, righteous officials, honest business men; but how much she also needs true, unselfish men and women to nurse and to show others how to nurse her sick! 1 ' The Nurses ' Association of China, what does it mean? It means we are banded together to raise the standard of nursing and training of nurses here in China, and to help one another in time of illness, discouragement, or misfortune. You are called 'Hu-sherug' (pupil nurse) and 'Hu-shi' (graduate nurse). What do these titles mean The dictionary telis us 'Hu' means to protect, aid, succour; 'Sheng' learning the art; 'Shi* have learnt the art, and should be ready to teach others. To protect, aid, succour, this for you has a three-fold meaning: — *11. To protect and aid your patients. You think of their sickness first, but a good nurse sees deeper and thinks of the

sadness and hopelessness of their lives, often the very root of their trouble. Avoid thinking of them as so many 'causes. 1 You have a great message of love, the opportunity is great, but quickly passes; let us teach Christ as we have opportunity, let us live Him every day, and *o bring His hope and joy into sad lives. "2. To protect and aid yourselves. Your body, by means of careful diet, cleanliness, and carefulness in contact with disease; your mind and heart by helpful reading; pure talk; avoid grumbling ; protect yourselves from littleness. "3. To protect and aid the profession. We are in our young days, and the reputation of the profession is in your hands. We have loved it, and pass on the honour and privilege to you. The difficulties are many ; each nurse needs the Heavenly Piloyt to guide and direct them." On Saturday Mrs. Burnip, L.M.S., Shanghai, kindly gave an acount of "Midwifery in a district in Central China," this being an account of work she had previously done at Henkow. She said the difficulties were experienced on account of the unwillingness of young Chinese ladies to do this work; this was overcome by allowing only the seniors to do it, thus putting a premium on the work. Another difficulty was to make the nurses realise the need for haste. A list of four names, the first two to be ready at a moment's notice, and a fine imposed for lateness, solved this trouble. Tin cases were made and used instead of leather bags; hot and cold boiled water, basins, etc., were carried ; the nurses wore coloured uniforms, white conveying to the Chinese mind the idea of death. Two nurses went together, with a foreign lady accompanying them ; and either while waiting, or after the birth of the child, an opportunity was made to speak to the people of Christ. At such times the homes are full of friends and neighbours, thus affording a good opportunity for preaching the gospel. Later, when the Chinese nurses were qualified to go alone, Mrs. Burnip often paid a surprise visit to them at their work, and never were they found failing in their duty. Many were the ex-

periences, some sad, some humorous, met with in the work which gives so igreat an opportunity for evangelistic effort. The discussion which followed brought out the interesting fact that in Peking there is a municipal law to the effect that if a woman is in labour more than twenty-

four hours, the case must be reported to the nearest physician. The Methodist Hospital helps enforce this by doing free obstetrical work, advertising largely that all patients who come and register and are examined will be treated free, if necessary.