The two following Papers on the Spirit of Nursing were read at the Nurses' Conference. I.

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVI, Issue 4, 1 October 1927, Page 216

The two following Papers on the Spirit of Nursing were read at the Nurses' Conference. I.

It is rather amazing that m recent years there has been not a little discontent m connection with duty and time off amongst some of our young student nurses, and still more amazing that this discontent should have been made public through the Press. It appears that the trouble has arisen owing to nurses m training having at times been called upon to extend hours of duty and forego days off when their respective hospitals have been pressed by stress of work, sickness amongst the staff, and other unforeseen emergencies. A spirit of this kind is hopelessly incongruous when associated with a profession. If work is to be done and the sick to be nursed, then women who call themselves nurses should willingly answer the call. If not, how can they be regarded as women faithfully serving the sick, loyally supporting their respective hospitals, and upholding the ideals of the profession. It is most disappointing that even a few should take up such an attitude. Indeed it is not the action of women of education studying a profession. Those possessing such a spirit should join the ranks of unskilled labour, for there they would find themselves m the right atmosphere with every opportunity of airing grievances without blotting the ideals of the profession.

During the last few decades nursing has evolved enormously, and the women directly responsible for this great advance are those who have worked long hours, given time graciously, and have never stopped to consider the hours or the days off they have not had. If they had, a great many of our nurses to-day m training would not be surrounded with such comfort, neither would they enjoy such happy and convenient working conditions. It is devoted service and time faithfully given that forces progress. If this progress is to continue, then our students must carry on m the face of seeming adversity with a cheerful and willing spirit, and be proud that by so doing suffering humanity will benefit. Nothing can be said m favour of any nurse who opposes the administration of her school, for while m training she is not qualified, therefore not m the position to criticise. Moreover, she will never join m the

march of progress and success. In short, the profession would be better without her.

Chronic nursing is a subject that is much m need of thought and consideration, for it is rather a regrettable fact that it has been known for nurses to regard this work as something that should not exist. So apparent has the disinterest been that even trained nurses have been known to refuse work of chronic nature. It can only be brought home to those possessing such a spirit if they realise that they themselves may some day be so afflicted. How, then, would they care to be nursed by someone who regarded such work as a trouble? In this particular branch we could well take example from women nursing m the various religious orders, for no doubt very excellent work is done by them. They possess wonderful patience and charm of manner, and are devoted to the work. Moreover, their work is done with a silence that brings rest to the patient.

Quietness is an art that has a tendency to be forgotten — outside interests and pleasures may be responsible with a result that duty suffers, and m consequence many nurses become noisy, hurrying and rather irresponsible young women. In these days it is difficult to hold on to the true nursing spirit as Miss Florence Nightingale meant it to be. Our profession is fast developing along two very definite lines, m that much times is given to encouraging better scientific teaching, and that we have an organised association founded on a very definite business and financial basis. These factors were not prominent 20 years ago, and although they have brought greatly improved conditions and helped tremendously financially, the fact remains that they have to some extent overshadowed the true nursing spirit, or, perhaps it may be said that the combined efforts m support of the nursing spirit have not been so strong as those supporting the financial benefits. In conclusion, it can only be said that unless students possess a true desire to nurse the sick and loyally serve their schools with a very high sense of duty they will fail m maintaining the ideals as they should stand.

11.

There has been so much said against the present-day nursing epirit that I should like to say a word m its defence. Not because I rather tend to champion forlorn hopes, but because I do not think this a forlorn hope. I believe the nursing spirit is very much alive, but that it is rather hopelessly smothered under its new clothing at present. We acquire the habit of blaming the spirit of the age rather carelessly without stopping to realise the spirit of the age as it applies to nursing. The growth of preventive medicine, and treatment to a much greater extent on psychological lines, rather tends to make the average woman much more intolerant of illness generally. The tendency to rush cases through m big hospitals to clear the way for more, takes the place of the old leisurely treatment. Added to this is the fact that few women are content m these days to give all their youth and strength so tirelessly and to be cast aside when spent and worn. In the nursing profession a good nurse spends herself as m no other walk m life. We are trying to remedy this, but there is still much to be done for the private nurse. Nurses now must keep closely m touch with new movements ; there is too much at stake not to, and m attempting to keep up, they sometimes appear to be not closely m touch with their work, and to treat it lightly. Most people who think are learning a wider, finer philosophy of life, and I believe the future nurses will posses this and learn to apply it m their work as part of the care of humanity. The quiet but sure working for the common cause —humanity— the Y.W.C.A., V.M.C.A., Ambulance Corps, Girl Guides, etc., are all more or less imbued with the nursing spirit ; they prove that it is alive, and I must believe that a large percentage of the women who take up nursing do so for the work's sake, not just because it is an honourable profession. Having taken it up the best nurses learn to love it, and from these we chose our responsible people.

Few people agree with me when I say I prefer to train the idealists before the very practical people. The idealists will go on through anything, even after the wholly practical person will finish up. The idealist never believes " it " is finished.

The truest nursing spirt is found m the idealist, and these nurses go quietly on, do what they have to do, and are not much m evidence generally. Only when an outstanding nurse combines idealism with a practical nature is she noticed.

Do not let us grow into the habit of overlooking these quiet people m the weariness of having the others always before us.

When I see the tired faces of the sisters who stay on after a long day to do just a little more for an almost hopeless case; or see nurses' faces light up because a tiny premature baby (which only by the most constant and loving care has held on to life at all) has learn to "really cry/ when almost all the staff rejoices because a very ill man or woman has recovered enough to be put out on the balcony for the first time, then I do not despair of the nursing spirit.

I know we must battle hard m the years to come to hold and foster it. In all the changes and readjustments it will not be easy to fight through, but the old spirit of the founder is still extent, and something as definite as that cannot be lost.

We know thoughts are concrete, so do not let us even think the nursing spirit is dead, it is only temporarily more or less smothered under all its new clothing.