Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-19
One Started as q Venture in Pittsburg
to Register Capable People to
Care for the Sick.
HOW THE BUSINESS is MANAGED.
Station Agents Will Boycott a Western
Road BY Diverting Traffic for
Reducing Wages.
BETTER SODA WATER FOR THIS SUMNER
Michigan Bill Against Letting Down Upper Bsrths
Favored by POrter.

A bureau to supply nurses is new thini
it should have been established long ago
Its utility was demonstrated during tn,
recent grip epidemic, when the supply o
nurses was not equal to the demand. o
the 200 registered nurses in this vicinity
not one was idle and number were impro
vised. so to speak, out of green hands. The
Pittsburg Nursing Bureau is not in perfect
working order yet, but its promoters, Will:
and Pass. are busy organizing the system. =
Mr. Pass explained yesterday that the
plan was to register all the nurses, requir.
ing them to furnish references from foul
reputable physicians and as many from famI-
lies whom they have served. Graduated
nurses from hospitals are sent out on the
strength of their diplomas. The bureau
makes it point to look up the record of the
applicant, and it is found that a wedding
process is necessary.
How a Blunder Was Made.
Recently, when the demand for nurses
was rushing, Mr.. Pass said he sent out a
female nurse on the streagth of frecommenda-
tions. She was incompetent and the family
declined to receive her. On looking up the
references they declined to indorse her, and
blunder Was made.
H NJ. Willis, another member OF the
bureau, returned yesterday from Philadel-
phia, where be went TO examine the rules o.
bureaus there. He states that the grip is
severe in New York and the Quaker City,
while New Jersey is afflicted with plague
of spotted fever. The latter disease is not
prevalent to an slarming extent in Pitts
burg.
Mr.. Willis said: People are peculiar
Some prefer nurses from one city 20 another,
aud I have made arrangements SO that we
can supply nurses from most OF the cities in
the country through their bureaus. A
charge OF So is made, half of which goes to
the home firm. II a man from Philadelphia
is taken sick in Pittsburg he feels that he
would rather have a nurse from the Quaker
City, and we get one for him. At present
there are plenty Of male nurses in Pittsburg,
but not enough females.
What Good Nurses Can Earn.
"The nurses are paid from SIS to S25
week, on an average, though in some cases
they receive more. Everything depends on
skill and experience, and it frequently
occurs that the patents are grateful, and re-
member them Kindly for good work well
done. In advertising for nurses, the rates
they quote give Us an idea o; their worth.
IL the figures are low, as rule, we don't
want them.
In Ills city we divide the nurses into
three grades. The first are the best of
course, and ger good wages. They are sent
10 families O. wealth and to care Tor serious |
cases. There are the other classes who are
not so capable, but good enough, who at
tend 10 patients not able to pay a high
price. We are just commencing the work
Of registering nurses, and as We are RESPONSE
bic or them we going slow. The records
OF III Sc we don't know are carefully hunted
up first They fill out blank in which
they state their preferences for the kind of
cases they desire TO look after, whether
EIed zeal, contagious or insane"
When the recent epidemic was at its
height competent nurses were at premium
and they reaped harvest No man will
hesitate about spending few dollars when
lie is al stake. Many grip patients were
compelled to nurse themselves, but the vic
tim who had faithful wife or loving sister
could count himself very fortunate.