Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1904-04-29
IS A NOBLE OCCUPATION.
The Care and Nursing Of the Sick
in the Home. in the Hospital
or the Sanitarium.

Nurses at the graduating exercises OF
the class OF Oh:
"For two years we have looked for
ward to this occasion as the browning
reward Of our labors and the commence
ment Of independent nursing. For this
period we have labored ever mindful OF
our aim and object.
"Thus as winter changes in spring,we
changed and laid away our probationer' 8
gowns and reverently donned our school
uniform, the blue and white; passing
from the minor duties Of our institution
we were intrusted with those OF greater
responsibility and were more fitted TO
enjoy each accomplishment and the
fellowship one with another. We have
realized we were the connecting link
between patient and doctor, responsible
to the one and for the other, endeavor-
ing to serve those instructed to our care
with skill, patience and sympathy.
"These two years have been spent
under the careful supervision OF our
medical staff. Our minds and DISPOSE
tions have been changed in many way;
IL has taught us to bear disappointments
cheerfully. Growth comes through
difficulty by patience and hard labor.
You must recognize each experience as
an opportunity and so learn its lesson.
Now to us the time spent here points
out large fields of usefulness In trying
to serve and comfort others. In thus
endeavoring, to US individually, has some
an outlook and an uplift for which we
need TO express appreciation to the guests
who have for the past two years been
with us here. There has come to us,
men and women from all parts OF the
49,, r,,t, xyith
experience. broad views Of life, and in
many cases high culture and uplifting
characters, and with these men and
women we have come into close SYM
pathetic relations. We have been happy
in serving, and this service has not
brought happiness alone, but also an
increased power of helpfulness, and as
the years go by and without the shelter
ing walls of our training school, we
wage battle against the sickness and
sorrow which Cypress humanity, we
shall not fail TO remember that there
we gained what power we possess TO
alleviate the ills of life.
professional nursing, as we know IT, !
is a benign evolution which has come |
to us naturally through the develop |
ment of our modern hospital services
1t marks out 10 us a distinct line OF pro-
CESS in sphere that has too long been /
abandoned TO chance ignorance and
inexperience II there is any place on
earth that requires skill, common sense,
a knowledge Of human nature and prac-
tical science, il is the sick room. III
there is any condition of humanity that
demands the ministrations OF trained
minds and skilled hands, il is that OF
the suffering and helpless. God gives
all Ill N saf hQ
world rejoicing.
1--WE, as a class, have chosen for our
motto "Ich Dein." serve, and as we
serve Others what earthly calling offers
larger opportunities for good, or is
fraught with greater responsibilities
than ours? As George Elliot has said,
what do we live for il not to make life
less difficult to each other. We who
speak from experience may say 1t is hard
work, but il is not drudgery, save any
noble work that ever becomes drudgery
in unworthy hands this work Of all
others is as glorified by the spirit OF the
divine soul Of goodness which prompts
Us, and otherwise the more uncongenial
requirements of physical nature are
transformed into the sacred element Of
holy ministry.
ave have many opportunities offered
us at the present day that our nurses
number Of years ago knew nothing OF
they depended entirely on the hard
school of experience; there were no
teachers OF nursing, no textbooks TO
which they could refer; they depended
entirely on their wits and the chance
information they might CLEAN from doc
tor or patient, the former understanding
little OF this work. We have awakened
In, ~ nd
d iscipline, the giving Of ones life to
serve others. which is the highest OF all
woman's privileges.
ITO our superintendent of nurses we
are grateful for the kindly care You
have taken in our comforts and enjoy
ments; also for your sympathy and
words OF encouragement in our discour-
agements and defeats. How often we
will stand alone and miss your kindly
counsel the work will often seem diff
cult without your directing hand and
supervision. We can only do this by
consulting the many leaves of our note
books and remembering the procepts
and principles instilled into us while
under your care and instruction.
ITO the staff we have appreciated {
your welcome praise, and your strong {
support and willing aid has rendered
our labors more profitable and has con.
tributed to our advancement.
ITO the doctors with whom during :
this period OF training we have labored
In a common cause.-the restoration OF {
our patients to health and strength
who have employed valuable time in
delivering to as lectures both interest {
ing and beneficial, and who we shall
always remember with gratitude, have
never failed TO answer our puzzled ques-
tions and make the way easier for us,
we thank you.
"To the nurses with whom we have
associated in our room and during hours
OF duty and who will take up the work
which we are now leaving TO you will
come increased responsibilities, anxieties
and discouragements, but we know that
with each will come renewed strength
hope and patience. And we pray the
largest success may be yours. Be strong
We are not here TO play. TO dream, to
drift, we have hard work TO do and a
load to lift Shun not the struggle, face
IL, tits Gods gift.
ITO my class mates with whom have