New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-30
MEETING OF THE NURSES.
THE FORMATION OF A PROTECTIVE AS
ISOLATION THE SUBJECT CONSIDERED

"A QlFfERENCE Of OEINIpN NAbC
UNITED AID soc1ETY-A CLUBHOUSE FOR
NURsEs-REGIsrRY ASSOCIATION.
A meeting Of the graduate nurses of New-York
Brooklyn and the vicinity called yesterday
afternoon at the United Charities Building TO con-
slider the formation OF protective association Of
nurses. There present 100 nurses. most OF
them representatives of the training schools con-
nected with the New-York City Hospital. the New
York Hospital Bellevue Hospital, Mount Sinai, St.
I.ukes and the POSTGRADUATE hospitals. Of New
York and the Brooklyn City. Long Island Col
lege Cumberland and Seney hospitals. OF Brook
lyn. The originator of the movement is Mrs Olivia
Grafstrom. a graduate OF the Queen Charlotte ana
City Hospital and the Central Institute of Stock
holm, Sweden.
At preliminary meeting which she called three
weeks ago. Miss NJ. Wallace Cameron. of the New
York Hospital. was chosen temporary president for
the meeting of yesterday. and Miss Ellen NJ.
Wright Of Long Island Hospital was elected TEN
porarv secretary. In the absence Of the temporary
president Francis F. Leman. lawyer, who has
been appointed to draw up bill that the nurses
design to present to the State Legislature was
called TO the chair.
Mrs Grafstrom in her paper pointed out that
for several years the supply Of nurses has been
greater than the demand 1t has been hard for the
majority of trained nurses in New-lork TO make a
living: impossible for them 10 save money. Inc
different alumnae associations have taken no steps
ers or quacks. and consequently capable nurses
have been suffering where charlatans thrived
Hundreds, in fact-masseurs and people who give
electrical treatment-have been making an income
out Of bones that the nurses were too proud TO
pick Mrs. Grafstrom thinks that the training
for nursing should include instruction in massage.
mechano-therapy and other kindred subjects, and
that II this done the public would not only
be saved from cranks and humbugs, but the sphere
Of legitimate nursing would be broaueheu anu
more employment found for graduate nurses. 'oi'e
would Ike TO see a hospital opened in connection
,.,.h sucb school which should be supported
and carried on by nurses. and which should nave
free accommodations for trained nurses from out
eide towns-nurses who fall III in New-Iork'
She accordingly proposed the formation OF an
accumulation 10 be known as the Trained NURSES
Mutual Protective Association. This society VIII
s,emn, 70 limit by act OF Legislature its member
shin to nurses who have had two years training IN
q hospital no regard being taken TO the number
Of beds in such a hospital u also proposes u''
the nractjce OF electro. mechano and hydro therapy
he restricted to the members OF the medlcai pro
fession and trained nurses. Finally 1t IL desired
~ found and conduct a home and hospital Tor
nurses in which there shall be postgraduate III
struction in the subjects mentioned above ana III
which there shall be free beds for SICK nurses ""o
in which the medical staff shall receive proper COM
pensation.
Dr 7 Mount B;ever next read paper, In when
he set forth the importance OF electricity for cura-
tive treatments. He warned his hearers a2a"'S'
falling into the hands of inscriptions charIa'ahS
and purveyors OF Quack appliances such as inc
electric belt discussion followed as to the al
Visibility Of adopting the scheme proposed by Mrs
Grafstrom Most OF those present appeared 10 Hp-
provo Of her propositions, but MISS DOCK Vi D'Ii7
vue Hospital. steadfastly opposed them' one
thought the scope OF legislation outlined thorouEI'
" Objectionable because no body OF DIN
CITY nurses should attempt TO bring about the pas
sage Of bills that would affect nurses throughout 'c
State Representative nurses from other cltleS
ought 70 be present before anything final was noie'
Miss Dock also insisted that the scheme PROPOSE
tended 10 lower rather than raise the standard OF
nursing for the size OF the hospital in when
nurse was trained had a great deal to do with her
efficiency Many nurses. she said. receive but an
imperfect training I'm special and private hospitals
and are not ht 20 cope with nurses OF larger cN
perience There should be some discrimination
II was finally decided 10 hold another meeting AT
the same place next Monday afternoon at O'Clock.
IN the mean time nurses OF all the large hospitals
in the State are to be notified Of the projected as
ISOLATION.
UNITED AID SOCIETY"
An association has Just been organized and in
corporated under the laws OF the STATE oi NV"
York which is probably destined 10 ne OF siod'
benefit 10 the trained nurses OF America IT - ~
be called The Trained Nurses United Ana ooci-
ETY." Mrs NJ H. Willard the president ana treas
urer Of the Metropolitan Trained Nurses club OF
the City OF New York. has been WORKING LOT '"iec
years 10 organize this society but 1t mas just zee"
incorporated. Eleven prominent men OF New
York have been invited 10 form Board OF Irus-
tees. and have accepted the invitation. Iher his'
meeting was held last Thursday THIS society IL
organized after the plan OF an insurance society
Its object Is the relief Of members VINO are oe
N'ned from duty account Of Illness or accideh',
ehd the payment OF funeral benefit In case OF
oeatn- 1t seeks 10 secure by means OF co-opei"-
uoh ana combination certain substantial Deheh's
LOT its members-such homes OF rest. pecuniaiN
.oois IN case Of temporary distress. sickness
'uho' endowed beds. and eventually pensions.
"alheo nurse under fifty years OF age VINO i
~ eood standing and in active service, and VINO
n'SAs certificate or diploma showing not less
'@'i years training in a hospital. is eligible Tor
s,hDership An initiation fee OF 81 will be charged
1'' monthly dues of 80 cents. A life membership
10y 20 purchased for siOO; an honorary member
10y eosts 20 year. In Of Illness nurse re-
80. o 90 per week for six weeks in twelve con-
ua'e months. At death a sum OF $50 IL given
oeHehciarles Of the deceased member.
-. u"uefs OF the society hope that with It's
ill.,. VIII be possible 10 increase the length Of
sra. oe"ehts In case Of illness and to raise the
q, VI the funeral benefit. Letters Of inquiry
s~ro 10 the society have come from all parts