The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-26

ity in that direction is large enough to fill
half of the hospitals in New York from cell
lar to garnet. With some young women the
mania to become a professional nurse is APP
parently as strong as is the mania to "go
the stage" with others of their sex.
While this mania is not confined to any par
ticular social sphere, evidences OF 1t have
of late been more numerous than usual
among young women in the higher walks OF
life.
Officers. physicians and head nurses in the
large public hospitals are constantly being
mportuned by applicants for nurses posi-
tions. Not infrequently girls in their teens
gratuitousy as helpers in the sick wards in
order that they may thus acquire the neces-
sary knowledge and experience to equip
them for what they regard as their or
dained mission in life. Most of the Jealous
amateur nurses speak of their chosen call
ing a mission" whereat the practical,
Self-cOntained professional nurse bids them
go back to their novels or their embroidery
and leave the task of nursing the sick TO
prOSaic women who have no emotions, no
nerves and who know what hard work
really is.
Not more than one woman in ten is fit
to be a professional nurse" said matron-
ly nurse of many years experience in one
OF the most noted hospitals in New York.
Few women have the physical strength to
enable them TO stand the hard work, and
many of those who do possess physical
strength are fatally lacking in self-cOntrol
or those qualities of temperament so es-
sential in dealing with the various moods
of invaids a competent nurse must not
be nervous in any sense, nor can she allow
her motions any play In the sick room.
Sympathetic she may be when her patient S
condition requires it, but she must never be
too sympathetic. In other words, a nurse
cannot afford to 'slop over She cannot
afford to show Weakness of any kind. Such
self-control as professional nurses are
obliged to exercise often makes them ap-
pear cold-blooded and Indifferent to the
to do daily is actually killing to women
OF nervous temperaments. We have tried
them here, and the best Of them did not
last more than one month"
In spite of the antipathy of old profess
sioEal nurses to victims of the nurse mania
a great many young women Of the latter
class succeed in getting themselves enrolled
on the probationary list of hospital nurses,
and some of them succeed in securing and
retaining permanent positions. Merit is the
only AID 10 success In this respect, how
ever. No one but an earnest and most de-
termined woman can pass through the pro-
stationary period of a hospital nurses ex-
perience without being cured of all desire
to follow that calling. professional
nurses rudimentary course of instruction
physically irksome, but which is in every
way repugnant to a WOman'S finer Sensi-
blities. 1t is hospital axiom that if a
novice can stand the full probationary
period of nlrsehood, she is entitled to her
cap and apron.
For women who choose to become pro-
fessional nurses the hospital experience
takes the place of a training school al
though some pass through minor training
SCHOOLS DeIOfe Iney reacn the hospitals.
Only few of the New York hospitals pay
their nurses regular salaries. In a large
proportion of the institutions the expert
ence, together with the outfit hoard and
| lodging, is regarded as adequate compensa-
ton for the services rendered. In some
other hospitals the nurses receive their
board, lodging and clothing while in q few
high-class institutions the rank and file of
the nurses receive from $40 to SIS month
in addition to their board and lodging.
Head nurses. of course receive much bet
ter pay. Once qualified nurse starts in
business for herself she can command fees
commensurate with her experience and
skill.