Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-03

demand for the right women 70 fill these
positions a. present exceeds the supply.
college graduate with special capaDll-
ties of mind and brain, combined with
the faculty Of organization, is offered the
chance of applying her teaching powers IN
the capacity Of head of training school,
after finishing her own course in nursing.
Besides this an infinite variety OF Work
10 choose from presents itself; she can
take up nursing in private families or dlS-
trict nursing; She can become an assist
ant to a physician in his office work or
among his patients, or lastly, leaving 10
others the practice Of nursing, snc can
find q wide field in social settlement work
of the foreign mission field. The oppor-
tuniues of nurses for the requirement or
practical knowledge concerning the pro-
Dlems connected with the poor in all great
cities has lately been recognized by the
election OF one of their number as a
member of the Health Board OF New
York; and in London a graduate nurse
has this year been appointed upon the
London School Board.
The training school of a hospital may
therefore be REGARDED as a place not only
for preparing women 10 undertake pro-
perly the care Of the sick, but as an edu-
cat onal institute where properly selected
women are given such moral and educa-
tiOnal advantages that they may go
forth equipped and ready 10 aid in the
practical solution Of some of the various
social problems which can be solved only
by the help Of intelligent WOmdnly WORK
ENperience has shown that a highly edu-
Gated woman need not on any occasion
hesitate to undertake any service Tor the
sick. no matter how mental IT may be
considered She does not stoop, put
raises such work up 10 ner own leNei'
and dignifies it by doing il well. Accus-
toned to discipline herself by her course
of training, she can utilize Tor herseli
the disciplining influence upon me nilhd
which such work must always oneI;
affug f 2 "A l ~,
at the present day offers certain adfdn-
tages over other professions or work TOT
women which are obvious. In the hrst
place il must always essentially remain
Swomen's work. Secondly IL is not so re-
stricted in its outlook as that OF teaching
in other kinds of schools. Ihlrdly, IL ~
interesting IL that IL offers opportunities
Tor constant studies in the book or nu-
nanitv and nature. Fourthly, the trained
nurse on an average Is paid as Wei il
not better, than teachers In scnools OF
colleges; and from a STANDPOINT Oh
health, if the work be done lhteitiseh, ~ d,
il is not much more dangerous IMAM Tue
other professions. Filthy, II does not m
terfere with the possibility OF women pc
coming wives and mothers; the training
is. in fact splendid education Ior ~
very RESPONSIBILITIES, and, the necessity
Of having TO depend upon marriage as
q means OF support being done away
with the nurse has far greater chances
for HAPPINESS II she does marry.
Of Nursing is interesting and encouraging
MANY schools are adopting the tniee,
wears course of training. with the oDJeO'
Of increasing the quality OF the hui sc
though IL may decrease the quantity
some few have gone a step further anC
are working upon distinctly educhll0na
basis. the pupi-nurses being gwen III
monthly allowance, but receiving III re
turn for their work thorough theol Stl0a I'd
ard practical training. In these schooi'
the hours OF practical work are llmitec
TO eight daily, and the necessary text
hooks and uniforms are supplied Dy the
schools. and FOR women or eNcepuoha
capability scholarships have been estdo
Hebed The society of Superintendent
of Training Schools has under consideIa
tion a plan for requiring special guam
fcations and for establishing examination:
Inn the case of graduate nurses VINO WISH
TO make application for the positions al
! superintendents Of training schools.
! Good physical health is essential, and al
education which must not only be theo
retical but practical, which, while com
prisng knowledge or literature ana SCI
f ence should not have neglected the study
of thrift and economy. Her capabilities
for organization should have been train
! ed But in addition 10 education she mus
I have cultivation, without TINS she car
. possess only the shadow without the sub
stance. Kind and courteous to all, IN
| nurse must possess fund OF pauenc'
, and wthal a certain reserve that is ne
safeguard and does not permit courtes!
I To degenerate into familiarity. Her per
/ sonal appearance is OF Importance; sh
/ need not be handsome or pretty, but II
{ her dress. her hair, her adornment. ant
her carriage she should show her appre
/ citation OF what Is 1T and becoming. AM
her golden rule should be Not 10 b
| ministered unto but to minister"
think that the ranks Of trained nurse
10 large extent in the near future shoul'
, be recruited from among graduates D
/ colleges or those who possess the equiv
aient education.