Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-03
COLLEGE WOMEN AND NURSING.
What the Profession Offers to Them-
Its Rapid Development.

Isabel Hampton Hope writes: From tne
earliest times we find women engaged III
the practice of medicine and In the care
of the sick. Kings, princes, ana nilsaty
warriors did not hesitate TO employ the
simples OF the wise woman, ana Wouhueu
heroes resigned themselves with cOnn-
dence TO the nursing OF the falr ladles
whose colors they had worn in the battle;
And vet when women themselves declared
by their actions that this confidence was
misplaced, and asked that they might De
permitted to receive special education
before undertaking such grave RESPONSE
bilities, the world stood ashast Paradox
ical as II may seem, IT nevertheless APP
peared to be assumed that training
might render such women less competent
than they were before. SO the pioneer
women In medicine had to face opposition
and break down many barriers. which
were set up to prevent them from obtain
ing q proper preparation for the career
which formerly had been conceded 10
others for whom no preliminary training
had been thought necessary
TO certain extent the same holds true
for the pioneers in hospital nursing;
Months or years Of hard physical and
mental work before she could obtain her
certificate represent but small part OF
the struggle through which, twenty-five
years ago or even less, a woman had 10
pass before she could establish her claim
TO share in hospital WORK as trained
nurse IT was some time before even the
her with favor But after physicians had
once begun TO realize that with trained
nursing II was possible TO nave theu
orders nteigentiy G way 10 order and
cleanliness. that the .percentages oi
deaths decreased and OF recoVerles III
creased, and lastly that Their own par
ticular province was IN no oa az tbe .train-
ed nurse her professional recoghI ion.
The prevailing style of nurse In the carry
wears OF the century had accustomed Peo,
pie to regard paid nurses as SCI fd,,la,
Inenials. engaged in something iar loWSi
than domestic work and whose only Oh
iect was 10 benefit by others mis1orl uhe'
ar the least expenditure or care ana tlou
bic on their own part. but tils Wv
OF the people gradually saew ",ck % asa os Sr
occupation for paid meniais, or as 81
vice of sacrifice and self-aDnesatVh; "
be shrouded in the garments OF a reneiou
sisterhood. they gradually IeaSne 10 cen
idea that widows and old maids OF GET
tain age and experience might alsO I'M
here a field of work. Nevertheless, 70
public educated up 10 even TINS pllch
was q shock TO find respectable Women
Young. unmarried women-wllling 10 glV'
up two years OF their time in hosplta
10 learn how 10 take care OF the SICK
and 10 claim their right TO estaphsh IN
profession OF trained :ursins. but, ut
spite preiudices, institutions Tor instruct
ton in nursing were established, Wnlci
were educational as we'll as humanitarian
In their principles.
The movement. once started. sprea'
with great rspidity, and schools wer'
started on all sides, and, as might nay
been expected, the competition for pupils
has been so great that the educauona
requirements for admission have beer
kept unduly low. This feature has prove
detrimental 10 the best interests OF nurs
ing in many ways. For tho average nurs
preliminary education little beyond Una
furnished by the public schools has beei
demanded. II Is true that in the pete
schools preference is given 70 applicants
OF superior education and cultivation
and that not a few trained nurses ar
women OF considerable attachments. Blu
this low standard OF requirement mas IN
creased the tendency of the pubic 10 re
gard the skill OF the trained nurse az
largely mechanical, and her work as al
most wholly manual, with but little scoop
for a trained intellect. 1t must be con
fessed that much has been done 10 Justlf.
this opinion by the appallingly long hour
OF practical work which have been ant
are stiil required in too many hospital
OF the pupil nurse. Certainly after MIN
spent in the wards, little time and stu
less brain power Is LEFT Tor Theoretical
study. and 10 the most intelligent an'
earnest mind fatigue is almost the onl!
sensation left.
The question as 10 the social status o
one time II required not a little mora
courage on the part Of a refined woman
to take up nursing. Her position had q
be maintained day and night under IN
constant and vigilant and not Away
friendly criticism OF the free-ward pa
tients. whose verdict carried weight no
only In the hospital, but also In the slum