The Ward Sister: A Paper Read at Nurses' Conference.

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVI, Issue 4, 1 October 1927, Page 211

The Ward Sister : A Paper Read at Nurses' Conference.

A thorough knowledge of nursing is only one out of many qualifications that are considered indispensable before the satisfactory discharge of a Sister's duties becomes a possibility. People who are unacquainted with the actual practical Avork of a Hospital suppose that when a Probationer has learnt to be a Nurse, she is fit to be a Sister ; they imagine that the satisfactory fulfilment of the duties appertaining to one position ensures the same result m the other. A better understanding of the qualifications required for a Sister, would at once show that this is a very inadequate view of the subject. All the qualities needed to make a good head of a household are essential for a good head of a ward.

The same constant thought for others, the same method m the arrangement of work, the same forethought to meet the expected as well as the unexpected incidents of the day, and to bear the brunt of them and make the best of circumstances, the same cheerfulness and sweet temper to allay the friction which may arise among workers and the same unfailing courtesy to stray visitors of all kinds, however inopportune their visits may be — all these qualities and many more, are indispensable m a Hospital Sister. The character of the Sister m Charge of a Ward will not only affect the comfort and well-being of the sick, but will exert a distinct influence over her Nursing Staff, who look to her for instruction and guidance. The first act on the part of a new Sister should be the careful study of the Standing Orders. If she is to control others and set a good example of obedience to rule, she must first ascertain carefully what her own rules are. She must make herself acquainted with the regulations which apply to nurses as well as those drawn up for her own guidance. It becomes a portion of her duty as Sister to enforce the due observance of all Standing Orders that apply to members of the Nursing Staff. Everything m the wards, literally from the floor to the ceiling, is the Sister's business, and the responsibility for the good condition and for the superintendence of every detail of the work rests

with her. Good results must be maintained and only constant supervision will keep her nurses and wardsmaids up to the mark.

The Sister must not be content to pass over indifferent work as good enough, and to listen too readily to the explanation of why work that should have been well done has been badly done ; other people will accept a second-rate standard with surprising rapidity. If we remember that it is these subordinates who are the means by which the Sister chiefly gets the actual nursing carried out and at the same time they are the links which will extend the chain of her influence m various directions later on.

The perfect order, cleanliness and smartness of her ward, as well as the neatness of her nurses and wardsmaids are also due to her supervision. Those who cannot learn how to impart their knowledge may be capable of very good work, but should consider themselves unfitted for the part of a Sister. The nursing of the patients is undoubtedly the first consideration, but that is only a portion of a Sister's duty. There is a great variety m the teaching power of many good sisters, and the fact of imparting knowledge with faculty is a specially useful qualification for anyone desirous of filling these posts. If a knowledge of nursing came by instinct there would be no need of Sisters as teachers, for we all know that the technical training of nurses must be given and acquired m the wards of a Hospital, and that this is a very important part of a Sister's duty. There can scarcely be a nobler incentive to make ourselves worthy of such a great trust that our fitness is a matter of grave importance to others. The opportunity for usefulness is almost unlimited. The Doctors are quick to feel that their patients are being left m capable hands as far as the nursing is concerned, and whether the Sister has the personal qualifications which alone can inspire confidence.

Patients are almost entirely dependent upon the Sister's kindly management and upon the tone that she maintains m her wards. It is not easy to define how much

the patients are always seeking at her hands, mentally, morally and physically Nurses and Probationers are looking to her for constant guidance, and learning by everything she does.

As also it is a Sister's duty to give each new patient admitted to her ward a kindly welcome, few Sisters attach sufficient importance to this detail. It must be remembered that they are not only strange, but ill, and often m pain, so that

they are not m a normal condition for going through the orders of being consigned to strange hands and the way they are spoken to on their first arrival will make a wonderful difference to them ! just a little individual interest for the moment will meet with a quick response. In addition to these claims the Sister owes to the authorities of the institution m which she is working that conscientious discharge of duties entrusted to her, which they have a right to expect.