The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-24
THE FIRST EXPERIENCE OF A
 SUCCESSFUL TRAINED NURSE
BY MRS. J. B. REID.

The Graduated Nurses association or Birmingham was founded in 1904 with less than 30 members; today 100 young women, graduates of hosiptals rom aii over the United States and nlaJorits from our city hospitals, are loohins after the sick and wounded or BirHins- ham. This association is turnisnihs trained nurses to all sections ol tie state reaching far out into the rural districts, where little IS kho"n oA scientific nursing.
 These young women have fitted them seIves for lives of great usefulness and lave onened an avenue for other young women who are desirous of obtaining thorough training. While they are sal aried. they are angels of mercy and undergo great sacrifices and anxiety in their duties
 The standard of experience, ability and character Is thoroughly substanti- ated before they are received as mem hers of this organized society, and be- fore being accepted as members they must undergo an examination, no mat ter from whence they graduated. Thus
  medium. With just keen desire to know something of the experiences of a trained nurse, the writer asked one of Birmingham's most popular nurses for her first experience in sick room with real patient, and as 1t carried with it the genuineness of Christmas sacrifice l shall relate just what ex- perience sometimes has to be en- countered and the triumph of noble deed
 On cold, frosty morning, December 22, I returned from taking care or little child whose life had been despair ed of 1 was yet under the regime or my Alma Mater and to return 10 my classmates with the report of my pa tient's complete recovery was to win for me golden elaurelse in their estima- lion. And whose approval was so well worth while? Whose judgment in all matters so absolutely unerring as or these my sister classmates? They were my world.
 was in high spirits, elated with suc- ress and quite overcome with the sur geon's Kindly words of praise and ap- oreciation of my efforts in behalf of his patients recovery. The doctor had been A faithful instructor during my training and, feeling for me in the new path was so soon to tread, extended to me, in his genial way, the ever wei come hand of encouragement and doubt less. in his unselfishness and expression of appreciation, intimated really more than my services merited But l be- ieyed him to be genuine and was quite delighted In this rosy hued mental atmosphere, I felt the world was Eloriously beautiful place and wondered why other people should think other wise. The fault must lie within them I nod CD 1t must be-
 My hospital career terminated offi- rially on December 23; the day dawned beautiful and clear. My homecoming was to be a glorious event and to be celebrated on Christmas day-the glad dest festival of all the year. The fol- lowing day, December 24, the entire lime was spent in busily preparing for the glad Yuletide. There was to be q grand gathering of the clan from near and far at the festive board and l, af- ter three years absence from the par ental roof, to be the guest or honor at my a en fireside. At o'clock Christ mas eve, after the usual day in every household of intense interest and ex- citement and mysterious preparations | while dressing to attend Wagnerian concert that was to have crowned my evening with happiness, the telephone rang My presence was requested; to
 
 superintendent who, in dilemma re- garding a very serious call, asked me to respond to the earnest appeal. She, woman of refinement and culture, loved and revered had helped and ad- vanced my professional interest dur ing my training and she had done mucn for me in my hour of need, most gen erously, and with kindly hand. She, too, had it greatly in her power to in- nuence my future career of which l was so desirous of making success.
 Could l say her nay? Would I refuse her earnest request?
 I asked for few minutes wherein to consider, and then waged a hot and fearful war within me. I had just left my alma mater, where ever before our j. eyes were the words of our mott:
 "Faire-mon- -devoir."
 I wanted to remain at home in the midst of life, merriment and fun. The path of duty l knew was the rightful one to pursue, and that, too without hesitation and time for unnecessary considerati ion, but being surrounded by all evidences of the gala Christmas eel ebration did not tend to strengthen my moral conviction-the struggle was so great
 I Seopsented the sacrifice too great to have aught but sad spirit within mo. My suitcase had been packed for days with my pretty new white uni forms, awaiting my first independent call The address of my patient se- cured, amid protests and expressions of sympathy, and with an indescribable feeling, l stepped into the carriage that had been summoned and went on my way, l could find no solace in the sac- rifice of my greatest pleasure even in the name of duty. We passed the Temple of Music and as we rode by, the magnifcently grand overture from "Tannheauser," symbolizing the great conflict of human emotions, fell upon my car, Experiencing all that was at that moment, was there any one, I wondered, in that vast audience who could possibly be in a more receptive or responsive mood for appreciation of the great masters wonderful interpre- tation? And, oh when the dull sonor- -Olled forth, what a sublime concep- xan- nf nnx feelin.c a nd tha ,.i.rid ,aof fh