New-York tribune., 1903-03-02
REGISTRATION OF NURSES.

From Sairey Camp to Florence Nightingale
was a long march forward. 1t was worthy 10
rank among the most noteworthy WorAs Oh
progress achieved IN the century OF the Worlo
greatest progress. The benefits to human Ire
and health and comfort accruing from the
system Of specially educated and trained nurses
are comparable with those from the ao-
vance in medical, surgical and chemical SCI
ence We have now, of course, got Iar past
even the admirable standard set Dy MISS
Nightingale, just as other branches OF the
healing art now are more perfect than tney
were half q century ago. This advance has
in all these other branches been, IN NeW-York
and most other States authoritatively recoG-
nized, and in consequence appropriately high
requisites for professional practice have been
legally prescribed. No longer can medicine be
publicly practised by the famed genius VINO
reported that his patients "windpipe had rot
ted of and let his lungs fall into his stomach"
nor can drugs be dispensed By one who believes
in the pharmaceutic identity OF epson salts
and oxalic acid The physician and surgeon,
the druggist the dentist, n some cases the
veterinary and even the hOrseshoer, must
pass a satisfactory examination and receive
certificate Of ability before he can practise his
profession or trade. It certainly seems just
reasonable and in the highest degree desirable
that the prOfoSSlOQal PURSES SHdu De
regulated and designated.
The legislature at Albany now has before 1t
two measures dealing with this subject upon
which, it is to be hoped, 1t will act and will
act with discrimination. One, which is known
as the Armstrong bill, seems to be well de-
signed to accomplish the end in view. It has
the fine merits Of simplicity and Of consistency
with the existing system Of supervision Of pro-
fessionaI practice by the proper authorities. IL
provides that nurses, male and female, shaIl
be registered and receive diplomas only on
completing courses of training and passing e1-
aminations satisfactory to the Regents of the
State University. That is just what is done
now In the case Of physicians, dentists, drug
gists and teachers, and it Is logical and de-
sirable that it shall be done in the case or
nurses. In that way physicians will be as
sured of competent aid, patients OF intelligent
care, and the nurLes themselves of more dig
nihed standing in their vocation. That the
prescriptions of the bill are not too strict Is
shown by the fact that the nurses themselves
are in favor Of its adoption; that they are ade-
quate is indicated by the earnest commenda-
ton Of the medical profession.
We have said the legislature needs to act
Discriminatory. There is before It another bill
on this subject, which Is in purport not only un-
sound but positively vicious. It was introduced
by AssembHy yman Nye, but he is not to be charged
with its evils, for it is specifically stated that
he introduced it only "by request" By whose
request does not appear; but it cannot have
been any one who has at heart the welfare OF
the public or the credit of the nursing profes-
sion. For this amazing bill proposes to regis
ter and license any applicant, regardless OF
age, character, qualification or experience No
requisites are prescribed. No examinations
are needed. All one must do is to take oath
that be or she is, in his or her own opinion,
fit to be n nurse, and to pay a fee OF SO cents.
Then, presto! he or she is formally and for
evermore to be registered and licensed, and
sent forth under the authority of the State Of
New-York as a professional nurse. Truly, that
would be a short cut back to the days OF
Sairey Camp!
What influences Of ignorance or Of char
latanry are back of this bill which Mr.. Nye
obIigingly introduced "by request" we do not
know. We cannot for a moment believe that
so preposterous measure will receive any IA
vorable consideration at the hands Of the Iegis-
Iature. We trust we shall cot be in error in
looking with equal confidence for the enact
ment Of the Armstrong bill.