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Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVII, Issue 2, 1 April 1928, Page 86

A nurse has been sent from the Mental Hospital Department to take the PostGraduate Course and return to act as Tutor Sister. It has long been the desire of the Department and of the Medical Superintendents, to improve the status of the mental nurses and to give them better advantages m their training. Miss Bramwell was trained at the Park Royal Hospital, London, and is on the staff of Porirua Mental Hospital, with the Matron, Miss Brand, who is a registered general nurse. A step forward has been made m the mental work of the Dominion, and it is gratifying that the Department has at once seized the opportunity of sending a nurse to take the Post-Graduate Course.

An entertainment was given at the Pioneer Club by the Council of the Trained Nurses' Association to welcome the students who had arrived for the Post-Graduate Course. On the platform were Miss Bicknell, the Director of Nursing, Dr. Valintine, Director-General of Health, and Miss Pengelly, President

of the Association. Miss Pengelly welcomed the students and wished them success. Dr. Valintine also gave them a cordial welcome, and then Miss Bicknell gave a short address, outlining the objects of their coming m the following words :

Since the War there has been a general movement all over the world regarding the educational side of the nurses' training. The modern system of nursing laid down by Florence Nightingale m 1860 defined the principle of the hospital being a school for educating the nurse, but with the course of time this educational aspect was somewhat over-shad-owed by the service the nurse was expected to render to the hospital.

With the experience gained m the Great War and m some measure by the enfranchisement of women m the Old Country, nurses themselves began to realise that it was necessary to have a better prepared woman if the best service was to be given to the patient, and at the same time if pace were to be kept

with the rapid developments taking place m medical science. It became necessary to find a teacher who had the practical basic training of a nurse with additional training as a teacher. This need brought about the training of the Tutor Sister. At the same time Preventive Medicine required an apostle who would carry its message into the homes of the people. The trained district nurse was recognised as the best agent, provided she had sufficient knowledge of public health principles to enable her to teach them effectively. In 1920 King's College, London, initiated a Tutor Sister's and a Health Visitor's Course. In 1921 Leeds University and Bedford College, London University also opened their doors to the nurses. Since then the movement has spread rapidly m England, on the Continent, m Canada and m the United States. In New Zealand we have been somewhat slower than is usually our habit m matters of progress, for it is now four years since it was first suggested that a post-graduate course for nurses already trained and experienced, should be established. On my return from the Old Country at the end of 1923 I found that the Otago University had, at the instance of the Dunedin Branch of the N.Z.T.N.A., agreed to establish a Diploma m Nursing which was to be a combined course of hospital training and University education extending over a period of five years. For reasons which need not now be gone into, this course was discontinued, but not before the idea was conceived of using the programme mapped out for the fifth year as one which could be made available for any nurses already trained, who were desirous of qualifying themselves for administrative and teaching positions, or for the field of preventive medicine. The Government was prevailed upon to send Miss Moore and Miss Lambie for training m England and Canada respectively, and these ladies are now to fulfil their destined purpose m acting as Instructors m those subjects on the syllabus which particularly concern the stu-

dents as nurses, and m directing their practical studies. We may, with every confidence, entrust them with the task. In conclusion, I should like, on behalf of the nursing profession of New Zealand, to express grateful thanks to all those — and there are many — who have assisted us to the attainment of our earnest wish for this opportunity of adding to our knowledge so that the nurse of the future may be better equipped to help m the fight against disease. Miss Inglis then handed Miss Bicknell a beautiful basket of flowers and fruit, with the following words : I have been asked by the various branches of the N.Z.T.N.A. to offer to Miss Bicknell, Director of Nursing, our warmest thanks for what she has done to establish the Post-Graduate Course of Nursing. We congratulate you, Miss Bicknell, on the commencement of the course to-day. We are confident that the institution of the course, which has materialised under your leadership, marks a very definite forward step m the progress of nursing education m the Dominion. Like another great national service, we, of the Nursing Service, know that "eternal vigilance" is the price of safety, and this vigilance includes new efforts to meet new times and new developments of medical science. For years the project of a post-grad-uate course has been dear to the hearts of all engaged m nurse training. To-day we rejoice with you that the first group of students— the fruit of a long endeavour—is assembled. We appreciate to the full that this happy beginning is largely due to your perseverance and zeal for nursing education. Again we assure you of the gratitude and esteem of the Nursing service whose "handing on of the torch" you have so happily served. Short addresses of Avelcome were also given by the Mayor, who extolled the beauties and health-giving atmosphere of Wellington, advising the students to take a tour m the observation bus (but did not offer them free tickets), Mr. Luke, the Chairman of the Hospital Board, and Dr. Elliott. The last-named was very complimentary to the Nursing Service of New Zealand, comparing the work of

New Zealand nurses very favourably with that of the overseas nurses he had seen. He also referred to the good work the nurses had done during the war. He said that this movement was the most forward step since the State Registration of Nurses Act, passed m 1901. He said that the medical profession was with the nurses of the sister profession m their desire to progress.

After the speeches were over a pleasant social hour followed, with introductions, talk, and refreshments. A number of members of the medical profession and their wives were present, Professor Hunter and Dr. Heine, of Victoria College, also representatives of various societies which are helping m the social service side of the Course, making, with the members of the Nurses' Association, a very representative gathering.