Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-24
Dailu Hrnnehrr 3ournal.
Training schools for Nurses.

Training Schools for Nurses.
DR.. Talbot's lecture upon trained nurses
in the course for the benefit of the Massa-
chusetts Homeopathic Training School
for Nurses illustrated the cordially and
sympathy which members of the medical
profession feel tor nursing of the sick as
department of woman's work. Accord
ing to the last census there are now
IL, 294 women employed as nurses in this
country although the number OF trained
nurses is not stated, it is evident that since
every large hospital IS now provided with
an efficient staff, and the training schools
send graduates each year 10 all parts OF
the country. the proportion of trained
nurses increases year by year. The
progress of the profession has been SC
great that it is difficult to believe that
thirty years ago the "Sairey Camp" type
of nurse was the rule, yet as one who re.
members says, the nurse OF the period be-
fore training schools was trough, bolster.
Gus, cruelty overworked, often uncared
for and not seldom unfit for work
on account of drunkenness. "Since
the pioneer work of Florence Night.
;ngale and of Mrs. Wardroper, an Eng.
lishwoman. who founded pioneer school
of organized nursing at St. Thomas Hos.
pital, London. the whole system of nurs-
ing has been changed. the nurses are no
longer dependent only upon practice and
observation for requisite knowledge, and
the sick room is governed no longer by
carelessness and inefficiency, but by order
and skill. Most large hospitals are pro-
vided with training school departments.
The rules of government may differ in de-
tails. but the essential features in every
training school course are theoretical in
struction given in lectures and practical
application by everyday work in the hos
pi'al wards. The requirements for ad-
mission are necessarily severe. The es-
sential qualities of a successful nurse, sad
DR.. Talbot, are .'motive, health. cleanli-
pess, dress, manners, faithfulness. truth
fuIness, relations to the physician and
'gumption Most of these characters
tics will be ascertained in the development
of the course of training, but in the exam
ination for admission the chief require
ments are good health, proper age,
twenty-five or three years being consld-
cred the best age for admission, average
intelligence and certain scholarship nee
essary for the understanding of the lee
lures. A months trial will usually con-
vince of the uselessness or worth OF the
student Many are soon convinced that
they cannot stand the hardships and
drudgery OF the sick room others are IN
capable OF fulfilling the self-sacrfice re-
quired; others by their incompetency and
carelessness in fulfilling the directions OF
the physician are not desirable members
OF the staff The difficulties of the work
can be partly imagined. The most mental
duties of the sick room can be avoided.
but. on the other hand. an advanced
medical knowledge of the symptoms of
the disease must be acquired so that the
nurse may report intellgently to the physi-
clan the progress and changes of the con-
dition of the patient. A pleasant DISPOSE
ton, if not the happy possession of the
nurse, needs to be cultivated, so that
patience, hopefulness and cheerfulness
shall rule the sick room and react upon
the sensitive condition of the patient. A
constant humbleness is necessary quail
fication of the successful nurse. for she is
never permitted to prescribe or give med
ical advice. Pupils in the training schools
receive board and wages from SIS month
to Sl2, according to the length OF their
experience; and after graduation the paw
of the trained nurse is much larger
than that in many other professions.
Every one who understands the
exactions of the work would con-
slider the wages well earned, but the
trained nurse who is naturally adapted to
her profession finds more recompense than
wages in her work, constantly realizing
its nobility and usefulness.
The work of the training school is so
important and the occupation for women
so thoroughly womanly and fine, that the
extension of the training school system is
undoubtedly desirable. AT present the
schools are confined mainly to large cities,
but the few experiments which have been
made in small places justify the feasibility
of establishing training schools wherever
the physicians are energetic and progress
sive. A class of pupils can be formed and
instructed by the physicians. Practice
among the sick in private families would
be substitute of the usual practice in
hospitals, the oversight of the physicians
rendering it prudent and safe. In one
place where the system has been tried.
phlanthropic ladies assist in teaching by
holding cooking classes for the nurses and
in aiding in the examination of applicants.
Having organized class, the physicians
and their assistants will find many to CO.
operate, and will be rewarded by the
great convenience in obtaining trained
nurses whenever they are needed