The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-28

6hOuiQ SOL fO " udhO hOA OO"ROA Jo0ttOO
with mercy; but on the other hand she
must never let sentiment interfere with
duty. She sheuld be held to strict ac-
count for all hospital property, its con-
dition and care, and should keep an ac-
curate list Of all articles in use and in
stock. At least quarterly she should
make an inventory or carefully compare
the last one with the stock on hand.
She should practice and preach econ
omy, and the value of property as SUCH
and should be as thoughtful-yes, more
so. of the way all articles are used. than
if they were her own. Many pupil
nurses are careless because they have
not been taught carefulness-an essen
tial part of their training, which the
head nurse must not forget.
The head nurses of the Philadelphia
Hospital "are graduates Of its training
school, selected because OF distinguished
ability. faithfulness and prudence"
The first two attributes having been we'll
attested by their work as pupils, so that
we are sure they know just how much
to expect of those under them, while
prudence is very necessary virtue to
poesess-a discourager OF gossip in the
fret place, and so prudent in tongue.
Prudent in conduct also must she be,
"well balanced" stopping to think be.
fore issuing an order and under no pres
sure OF excitement being anything but
perfectly calm and self possessed. But
though quiet, she must be ready for any
emergency. knowing just what to do and
how to do it. She should know some
thing of the individual characteristics
OF all her subordinates, or she will never
govern them properly, and the knowl
edge of minds and methods thus gained
will be invaluable. She hae great oppor
tunities for developing any executive
ability she may possess, which will help
make her, some day, if she SO desire. the
head of hospital OF training school,
There are still. strange to say, more hos
pital positions than there are women of
the right sort to fill them, while there is
no scarcity of the other kind.
If woman has the unusual gifts ne
cessary to govern others. such as firm
ness of character. an absolute sense of
right. a sensitive conscience, moral
courage, infinite patience and willing
ness to bear what is beyond remedy with
unwearying effort, intuition by which
she can tell the false note in speech and
the false ring Of CHI fater, IL she be
systematic and can make others 80, and
has high standard of life and it's
duties, with dignity Of presence which
makes her respected, with good health
and cheerful and kindly disposition,
so that she is loved as we'll as obeyed
(for surely no place on earth needs such
tender words and hearts and such bright
faces as does hospital )-she will not
only be able to obtain responsible
position, but will be sought for by hos
pital managers and can command very
fair salary. Those nurses who have
previously servsd as head nurses are
better adapted for such place. The
advantage of such is that she comes in
contact with the attending physicians,
many of them men of note, who do not
forget her il she is skilled. and who
often help her afterward. either by
themselves employing her or by refer
ring others to her. so that if she takes
up private nursing she finds herself not
stranger even in the beginning. If
she be conscienctious woman, she will
try to exert good influence over all
with whom she comes in contact, and
will leave an impression often lasting
many years. Her virtues and her faults,
too, will be passed down to genera.
tions of head nurses and of pupils.
Let her take heed that she make the
"legends" of the hospital holy ones, and
that her example bring high ideals and
ambitions and lofty desires to all who
follow. 1t is noble work, and an un-
selfish life to all who choose to make it
such. Let our head nurse take for her
motto the beautiful words Of Browning:
For truth and right, and only right and
truth-right, truth, on the absolute
scale of God;
No pettiness of mans admeasurement-
In such case only, and for such one cause,
Fight your hearts out, whatever fate be-
tide;
Hands energetic to the uttermostr'
PHILADELPHIA, PA.