New-York tribune., 1902-02-02
CLUB FOR NURSEMAIDS.
ONE PHASE OF THE INSTITUTIONAL
WORK BEING DONE BY THE
MANHATTAN CONGREGA-
TIONAJ, CHTRCH
TIONAL CHURCH.

Institutional church work mas discovered new
field of activity in looking after the interests Of
nurse girls class of young women whose duties
are of such a nature take up almost the whole
their time and leave little opportunity for self
| Improvement recreation.
Miss Lena E. Harvey. deaconess of the Manhat-
tan Congregational Church, at Broadway and Sew
enty-sxth-st., of which the Rev. DIR. Henry A
Stmson is the pastor. has charge of the institu-
tional work of that church, and has organized a
club which, It is thought. will be helpful to this
class of girls IN many ways.
In describing the methods by which she increased
the membership Of the club Miss Harvey said:
when passing along West End-ave. and Riverside
Drive I would frequently young women wheel
ing baby carriages, and I could tell from their at
tire that they were not related to the occupants.
One day ventured to address a patient looking
girl, who bending the carriage to soothe
the baby. I said: AT the Manhattan Congregations
al Church we are organizing a club for young won-
en- who take of other peoples children.
wouldn't you like TO Gomez She replied: I didn't
know that any one ever thought of us--eXcept God
MY conversation with this girl gave me an in
sight into the conditions under which the average
nurse girl lives and I at one time had charge
OF day nursery and knew how arduous the care
of young children is my sympathes went out to
the girl and the class Of which she is type. Prob
ably many people think the life Of a nurse girl is
a comparatively easy one, but it is not. The work
is hard the responsibility great and the girls life
a lonely True she has the child TO for
but it cannot be a companion. and she misses the
opportunities for sociabiity that girls enjoy in al
any other branch of domestic service
While employers do not mean to be hard. in the
majority of cases the childs well being must he
the first consideration at any cost"
AS described by Miss Harvey, there is little of
family life possible for the if she sleeps
home. She must start out her work early.
Her time throughout the day IS devoted caring
for the needs OF her small charge. When she takes
the child she must be constantly the alert
lest it catch cold. for her the responsibility
If the child becomes ILL., She must that the
child is in bed and usually asleep before she goes
home and by that time the children in her
home have retired too, and she is tired
for anything except getting to bed to rest.
To tighten the nurse girls laborS by showing her
how 10 do her work in the best, and consequently
the easiest manner is one object OF the club y
new interest will be brought into her life by the
knowledge that she Is one Of group, each work
ing the welfare of the others, and her work
will become more interesting s she puts into
operation the things she learns.
girl will not be the only one to profit by the
help she receives" said Miss Harvey. Her en-
ployer will share the benefit for the child will be
better cared for and much safer. when its needs
are looked after according to the highest stand
ards of such service. The branches OF instruction
will include lectures on the care OF children by Il
competent physician. talks the care of babies
in many Of the emergencies that arise from child
illnesses. instruction in preparing 1000 Tor babies
doors. a kindergarten teacher Will instruct them in
the manner Of carrying on games for tiny children
and Of entertaining them by telling interesting
stories. 1t Is hoped that many OF the girls VIII
a inclination 10 become sufficiently proficient
i'm kindergarten work 10 undertake the rudimentary
branches of a. nursery Eoyernesss work.
In addressing the girls have never encountered
a rebuff" said Miss Harvey, They are glad to be
invited to the meetings Thursday evenings. As