New-York tribune., 1874-03-14
rR1lyING SCHOOL rOR MUSES..


What New-York women can do when they
will was never better shown than in the ca
tablishmcnt of that most noble institution.
The Training School For Nurses, which nins
months ago was but an idea, which since then
has received subscriptions to the amount n
S92, ,asj 81, and which now, through its Com
mittee. makes its first annual report to a gen
erous and sympathetic public.
The primal effort of the earnest women
composing this Committee was to obtain the
assent OF the Medical Board of Bellevue Hos
pital to receiving the services of Training
school Nurses tor five of the Hospital wards.
Successful in this, and equally successful in
procuring the necessary authority from the
Commissioners of Charities and Correction,
the Committee next secured a comfortable
Home at No. ga East TweDty-sixh-st., in tba
fitting up of which they We're greatly as
sisted by the Governors of the New
York Hospital. The Home established. q
Superintendent was found in Miss Bowdcn, an
English lady, for many years attached to the
wcl-known school at University College Hos
pital, London, to whose experience, ability and
energy the Committee express themselves
grateful debtors. A general in command, the
GERS but though they advertised and applied
to physicians for aid. four women only were
found capable of acting as head nurses, one
of whom was soon discharged for inefliciency.
Could any stronger argument be advanced TO
prove the universal need for trained nursesi
Out of seventy-three applicants from almost
every State in the Union, many were totally
untitled by mental incapacity, others byphysical
weakness, and yet more by ignorance. The
majority, however, were unwilling TO dedicate
two years to learning thoroughly honorable
profession, and it Is this failure to appreciate
the necessity of thoroughness in woman's
work that is the greatest stumbling
block in the way of all educators. Admitting
twenty nine probationers to the Training
School, the Committee were obliged to dis
miss three on account of Ill health, five Tor
ineticiency or unsuitableness, and two because
of family claims, leaving nineteen in the
Home, who, by faithful devotion to their du-
ties, have already won Ethe praise of their
Superintendent and the gratitude of the suffer-
ing to whom they have ministered. Indeed,
so rapid has been the progress of these pro-
bationers that when, at the end of six months.
Miss Bowden was left without head-nurses,
she unhesitatingly placed three OF the five
months probationers in charge of wards. This
fact tells the story of American intelligence
and education. And yet another fact demon
strates the effect Of gentleness and womany
kindness upon natures demoralizedb by miserable
birth or still more miserable circumstance
Formerly the women helpers or prisoners em-
ployed to clean the Hosptal wards "ere M
absolute scourge, and i'll oil reports Oh 'n0
Local Visiting COMMITTEES" their pi's'"oo
and their foul language were represoa~o S'
insulting to the patients. Now, IN 'ho "ai"s
cared for by the Training Schooi' many oA
these women have been softened into obedi'
epce and respect, and some have begged TO os
allowed TO remain after the expiration OF then
fern. even serving without pay tor thres
months. because "It was so like home" IL
NOT this incidental reformation worth ponder
ing uponf
Having accomplished thus much. having
satisfied the authorities and physicians con-
neeted with Bellevue Hospital, the Committee
of the Training School aspire to further gooa.
With their Home sufficiently ENLARGED "