The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-16

bexfns the duties Of her new profession
These ~ Nrst are OF the most me1aai De-
scrfptfon. She learns how to make beds
In hospital fashion. drawing the lower
sheet tight around the mattress ana psfs-
ninx Il beneath that u might not become
rumr,aed By the sosxfngs and turninEs OK
n restless patient. ho& TO fold ard fasten
the blankets and comforts that they may
not become displaced and the patient
take cold through EXPOSURE how 10 care
for the necessary vessels, thoroughly dis
injecting them after every use. how to
clean up room without annoying the
pasient There are some women who
can enter . sick room and while cheerfiy
chatting with the sufferer. giving him
bits Of news and making pleasant re-
marks, tidy the whole apartment before
he knows that anything Is being done:
there are others who throw him into
pxroxysnas Of nervousness through their
lack Of tact. The former are fitted for
their profession. the latter are not and
never win be. for In nursing. as In every
other calling, natural aptitude IL one-haif
the business.
Having finishca her probation. the cam
siidate again presents herself TO the ex-
amin,ng board. who question her regard
Ing her health. which with some women
is greatly affected by the change OF hah-
its. - to her experience and desire to
continue the work. and II everything IL
satisfactory. she at once enters upon the
regular course This In most Western
colleges Il Of two years duration. though
In some Eastern institutions three are
required. and in especial cases, even four.
The daily life OF the nurse Is regulated
so that every moment is utilized. She
rises ut fixed hour. in most institutions
In this city $50 or s, and is allowed thirty
minutes to make her toilet and put her
room I'm order. then goes TO breakfast.
after which she repairs to- her ward and
remains on duty. with an intermission
OF an hour or two for dinner and rest.
until Z In the evening. With the night
nurses the routine Is the same. reversing
the hours. and TO make sure that the
requisite amount OF rest will be secured.
the LIGHTS in the day nurses bed rooms
must all be extinguished at a certain
hour. while the night nurses are required
to be In their bed rooms during certain
number OF hours In the day time.
While attendance at the bedside and on
the wants of the sick constitute the most
arduous portion Of the nurses work. there
are other parts of her training not less
important. In every institution of this
city special instruction Ia given to the
nurse pupils by the stan Of physicians.
Regular courses Of lectures are prepared
for their benefit. and delivered by menu
bers Of the stafY at an hour when 1t is
possible for the pupils to attend without
RENTING their duties. There is a regu-
lar course OF reading provided. which
they must finish and on which they must
pass an examination. SO between their
daily ward and room work. their reading
and their lectures. the hours are well
filled. But they fully understand before
they enter upon the course what they
have to expect. so have no reason to COM
plain OF the long hours or steady en-
ployment.
receive. In addition to the professional
education and training already mention
ed, board. room and laundering They
are not paid wages In the ordinary sense
OF the word. the education and practical
training given them being far more than
an equivalent for the service they render
to the hospital Some OF the weaithier