New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XXII, Issue 3, 1 July 1929, Page 98

New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association

The next Annual Conference of the New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association will be held m Auckland, beginning on October Ist. It is hoped that there will be a good attendance of delegates from all the branches. The following is the suggested programme of the Annual Conference, to be held at Auckland m October, 1929:Tuesday, October Ist, 2.30 p.m. — Business meeting ; correspondence. Evening, 8 p.m., reception. Wednesday. October 2nd, 9.30 a.m. — Business meeting. Afternoon : Round table on Xursing Education. Evening: Report of delegates to the I.C.N. Thursday, October 3rd. 9.30 a.m. — Business meeting. Afternoon: Mrs. Todcl Smith. At Home. Evening : Round table. Public Health Xursing. Friday, October 4th. 9.30 a.m.: Business meeting. Afternoon, not yet arranged. Evening, not yet arranged. The following remits have been received :— Wanganui : 1. That m order to improve the present practical side of nurses' training, whether general or maternity, the future appointments of Ward Sisters be made from those realising that : (a) The Hospital Xursing Service; (b) The Responsibility to the Public; (c) The Teaching of Practical Xursing is: "Her Responsibility." 2. That, as many hospitals are demanding a fourth } r ear from the student nurse, a proper c rriculutn should be outlined for this nui i: .;\ including such subpects as.: "Sanatorium Treatment of Tuberculosis." "Clinical Welfare" or "Maternity Xursing/ 1 "Nursing of Neuropathic Patients" (the subjects to be elective). In view of the fact that the Hospital Boards' Conference recently turned down the following remit without discussion, we suggest the subject be taken up again through the Registration Board and the B.M, Association :

3. "That registered nurses m private dice for two or three years be accepted on the staffs of Hospitals for a esher course of si.\ months as fourth year nurses." NOTE. — We are informed that m regard to Remit 3, it is not the case that this was turned ('own "without discussion, but that the Boa felt it was a matter for each to arrange -with its own responsible officers, and as reported m another column, steps to carry it out have already been taken by the Auckland Hospital. Wellington: Remits from Committee on Public Health Nursing: — 1. Salaries : (a) That all organisations employing Public Health Nurses (not already doing so) should be approached on the subject that when a nurse is appointed, her commencing salary should be a minimum one rising to a maximum. (b) That after a certain number of years' satisfactory service, the maximum iry of a Public Health Nurse should be raised. 2. Superannuation : (a) Thai a Committee should be set up to work for the extension of the superannuation scheme, so that nurses leaving a Hospital Hoard's employ may receive a Government subsidy on their contribute ms to the National Provident Fund. (b) That the T.N.A. approach the Government on the question of interchange lity oi the superannuation scheme now m existence, i.e., from Hospital Board to Government service. 3. Maternity Nursing- : That during the Conference a Committ' 1 ; :t up to study the questii n of recompense to practising maternity nurses and mid wives who, through no . [It of their own, are debarred from work due to some notifiable condition, as is the practice under the English Act. 4. That a Committee be set up to outline the opportunities now offered Avithin the Nursing Profession, and that this

Committee should then place the.se before the Head Mistress of the various secondary schools m Xew Zealand. Maternity Nursing: That the T.N.A. interest itself m promoting "Post-Graduate" study for practising- maternity nurses and midwives, and approach the Department of Health to institute a recognised short course. Remits From Committee on Nursing Education. (1) That the N.Z.T.N.A., on behalf of the public and m the interest of the Profession of Nursing, request the Registration Board not to allow Private Hospitals to register as training schools for nurses. (2) That throughout a nurse's general training more opportunity be given the student nurse to personally nurse and record special cases: In medical ward, m surgical ward, m children's ward, m infectious diseases ward; thus introducing case method similar to the Midwifery Training School. (3) That efforts be made by the N.Z. T.N.A. to influence first : Public interest ; second, Hospital Boards' interest m the School of Nursing as an educational section of the Hospital, and not only for its nursing service to the Hospital. (4) That, m view of the fact that medical progress has multiplied nursing duties, less time be devoted to routine work m the second and third year of a nurse's training, and thus more time be spent on professional bed-side tuition to the student nurse. (5) That, throughout the nurse's training, periodic personal health examinations be made, thus using the nurse herself as a lesson m preventive medicine. (6) That, to enable the nurse to think for herself and accept personal responsibility, the establishment of Student Council, Student Government, or some form of student co-operation, be considered. (7) With regard to the superannuation of the nurses m training, that this matter be more closely looked into, and if possible, the nurse be compelled to remain m the fund for eighteen months after the completion of her training or resignation from the Board.

Ofcago: (1) (a) That "Kai Tiaki" be printed two-monthly m cheaper and smaller form, and that, if found necessary, to raise subscriptions to the Journal, the increase be quite apart from subscriptions to Association, (b) That some definite steps be taken to collect outstanding subscriptions. (2) That a nurse be attached to all V.D. clinics for special follow-up work m connection with women and children; where possible, preference being given to a nurse with special experience m this direction. (2) That m view of the success of the Education Department's system of exchange between its own teachers and those overseas, and recognising the advantages accruing therefrom, the Conference be asked to enquire into the feasibility of establishing a similar system of exchange within the various units of the nursing profession. It is proposed that during the Conference, one evening should be devoted to a round-table conference on Public Health Nursing. The following subject is suggested : — The Tuberculosis Patient and Contacts : Short papers on the following" aspects might be obtained from the various branches as follows :— The Dispensary, Christchurch and Dunedin. The Nursing of a Chronic, Christchurch and Dunedin case m the home. The Child Contact, Wellington. Tuberculosis Among the Maoris, Auckland. The Committee en Nursing Education. The Committee suggest that a roundtable discussion on Nursing Education be arranged concerning the following subects,:— (1 ) Hospital -Administration ; (2) Teaching Sisters ; (3) Ward Sisters. Papers to be allotted to various visiting members, and the Auckland Branch arrange for discussion papers— that this time a round table m Public Health be included. ■It was suggested that the N.Z.T.N, Association request the training schools of

Xew Zealand to prepare competitive demonstrative material m nursing procedure to be displayed and judged at the Conference, the Association awarding a prize to the successful competitor, thus stimulating student interest m the Association.

It was decided to obtain information from the 36 training schools m New Zealand on how much time the student nurse still spends on unskilled work.

The result of this review would show if it is possible to introduce more professional instruction into the present teaching curriculum.