Omaha daily bee., 1906-07-01

a Press gives an Interesting account
Of the training required TO become
EnaQESf a professional nurse and the or
C@Sf1 rortunities the profession affords.
Compensation averages SIS O week and the
demand for nurses in hospitals and homes
generally exceeds the supply. The writer
accounts for this condition by the fact that
three years training is necessary before
the girl can make living as a nurse, while
after six months In a business college she
may be fitted TO take some sort OF po-
sition as a stenographer. The thought OF
three years training is terrifying to I'M
patient youth.
Concerning the system Of training fol-
lowed the writer says:
A girl cannot even become a pupil nurse
until she has passed a probationary period
OF some months. This Is a disappointment
to the girl who expects TO begin right away
smoothing the fevered brow and to have the
attending physician treat her with the con-
sideration due her responsible position. She
soon finds that there are many intermediate
steps before she reaches the fevered brow.
The first Of these is the waxed floor She
must learn to keep this in perfect oondi-
ton before she Is permitted to look after
the comfort OF the patients. 1t may be seen
that neatness, orderliness and the qualities
essentials OF a successful nurse.
The schools for nurses are, as a rule I'M
der the general supervision Of the president
and board OF trustees, and under the i'm
mediate charge OF the superintendent Of
nurses.
Candidates must be p years old. and not
over q. They must present satisfactory ev-
idence to the board Of examiners that they
possess preliminary educational qualitiCa-
lions sufficient to profit by the course Of
training. The board consists Of the super
intendent of the hospital the resident phys
ician and the superintendent Of nurses.
The applicant is required to give the date
and place Of birth, height and weight and
to tell whether she is strong and healthy
mentally and physically, and has always
been so, whether she has any physical de-
fects, has ever had any disease of the lungs
or any tendency to pulmonary complaints,
whether she has ever had quinsy or diph-
iberia, and whether her sight and hearing
are perfect. She must tell at what schools
she was educated, and give the date of her
graduation, and also tell whether she Is
connected with any church. Next on the
list is the question. Are you single, or
widow, or divorced; II a widow, or divorced,
have you any children, and how many?
How provided for2 She must tell what her
previous occupation has been, and whether
she has ever nursed In hospital or in
private families. She is asked where her
last situation was and how long she stayed
in It. Last on the list of questions is, Are
you free from domestic responsibilities for
three years, that might interrupt your
course in the SCHOOL,"
Two persons must be given as references
with the length Of time each one has known
H.,
OF these must be the last employer. In ad-
dition TO these there must be letters from
the girls physician and dentist, to prove
that her health is sound and her teeth not
apt to give her trouble She must also fur
nish letter from her clergyman.
A few months probation usually serves to
separate the wheat from the chan, and the
girl whose service during that period is sat
isfactory is permitted to enter upon the
real training. The superintendent has had
an opportunity to Judge whether the girl Is
neat, quick, patient and kind. 1t also shows
whether she is willing to obey orders and is
physically strong enough to stand the train
ing. Any tendency to be quarrelsome with
the patients or other nurses spells ruin to
the hopes of the probationer.
II, at the end of her probation. the ap-
plicant is deemed we'll fitted to become a
nurse, she signs agreement to remain
three years in the hospital and the school,
and enters upon the course. She may be
dismissed at any time during the three
years II her service is not satisfactory.
The girl who lasts through the proba-
tionary period is really DESTROYS of becom-
ing a nurse, and enters upon her duties
with will, Instructions and training are
considered the equivalent Of her services,
but she is also paid a nominal salary: IN
most institutions about 50 a month for the
first year. with an increase for the second
and third. This allowance is made to cover
the expenses Of her uniforms, textbooks
and other necessary incidentals. Her ex-
penses during training are so small that
many girls who enter upon the training
with no capital whatever are enabled "a
save little money for a nest egg after
graduation. The usual days work for the
pupil Is about twelve hours Those on duty
report at 1880 a. m. ana remain until 7:3
p. m, when they are relieved by the nigh
nurses, who are on duty for the same
length of time. If work permits, from on,
to two hours every week day are giveI
for rest and recreation; also one-half DAY
after p. m. each week and for four hour
on Sunday. Two weeks vacation is al
lowed each year, and In the case Of senior
pupil nurses a vacation OF three or fou
weeks is sometimes allowed.
The three years training is not al
drudgery, for the girls manage to hav
considerable fun among themselves. Thei
meals are served away from the patients
and they get enjoyment from each other
company.
The training develops Judgment an
serves TO discourage frivolity. At the en-
OF the prescribed course the girl emerge
thoroughly equipped for the duties OF a
exacting. but honorable and lucrative pro
fession She is then practically assure
OF good income, for the competent nurs
is seldom idle. Her wages. II private nurs
ing be her field, will be SOS week, which
as II includes board and lodging, is CON
paratively large Institutional nursing
not so remuneratve. but It is far cas- ei
and the difference in pay is not so grea
as II appears. for while the institution,
nurse receives, as a rule. not more tina
from $50 to SIS a month. she is not obIige
to be unemployed at any time, whereas, II
private nurse, II she has had a long an
difncult case, Is usually obliged to re
for a couple OF weeks after leaving IT,
1t has been stated authoritatively tn
the average career OF nursing is only I,
years At the end OF that time the cir
either marry or go into something els