Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-05
NURSES VOCATION
HIGHLY PRAISED
Speakers at Training School
Graduating Exercises Laud
Their Chosen Work.

Declaring there is a need OF better facil-
.''s ior taking care of the poor in the
'i"sp'tais. LIT Philip S. Roy addressed
me graduates of the George Washin ston
University Training School for Nurses at
'heir commencement last night He told
'he nurses that their vocation ranked with
the physician and the minister at the
BEDSIDE of the sick, and explained that in
entering poorly equipped homes they
"ouid De called upon to do things not
strlctly In the line of nursing which they
could do without loss of dignity.
Rear Admiral Charles H. Stockton. pres
ident OF the university, told the nurses
OF the great good they could accomplish
Dr. William G. Borden. dean of the de-
partment of medicine presented the grad
yates, while Admiral Stockton awarded
the diplomas. Benediction was pronounced
by the Rev. DR.. S. II Greene of the
Calvary Baptist Church.
After reviewing the history of nursing
from the early ages to the present day.
Dr. Roy outlined the enormous aid which
could be rendered by the nurses.
Your profession. it has been Justly
said. he declared. ranks with the phv-
s1cian's and minister's at The bedside.
nave never felt that the minister was of
hucH use tHere All very sick people are
very sorry for. their sins and promise
themselves to lead better lives God only
can Judge the sincerity of their repent
ance. Please do NOT understand me to
mean that | do not believe in PRAYER for
the sick.
Trained Nurse a Necessity.
The trained nurse is necessity She
is often employed through great pecun-
larry sacrifice but she becomes a great
factor III the economy of state by saving
the breadwinner. So Well is this realized
now by the government that each year
We see an increased number of trained
nurses employed by the state for those
who cannot afford the expense The re-
suits of your entrance into homes are
often marvellous changing chaos into
order. giving the patient as well as the
family mental as we'll as physical rest
You are faith healers. Sympathy may
sometimes be harmful. but when it can
be combined with firnness. as only
healing agent"
Dr. Roy then told the graduates that
their splendid training and social posi-
ton certainly carried great responsible
ties. He told them that they were not
only nurses. but educators who i'm their
daily work could rid the popular mind of
many fallacies concerning diseases and
cures. -
Helping Hand for Poor.
I'm your three years of training he
continued. you have seen much of the
poor. and / have witnessed your deep in
terest in them and heard, their praise of
YOU This interest should. and | doubt
not will, continue. You will. often enter
homes which are poorly equipped. where
In doing your duty you will have to do
things strictly rtajp tn
nursing. In these cases you should make
yourself a member of the family and eX-
tend helping hand in any direction.
You can do this without the least loss of
dignity. These conditions especially Oc-
cur in the country. ] have known the
nurse to wash dishes, make the fire, cook
and milk the COW for the patient. You
are first women. and the whole world
turns to your tenderness
Let me speak concerning the DOOR
believe the manner of recording their en-
trance into hospitals is wrong. If after
investigation they are found worthy,
'pauper INDECENT should not be at
tached to their names. They should be
sent to the hospital as the guests of the
people. have known many worthy poor
decline hospital treatment rather than
submit to humiliation. The deserving
poor are as much entitled to our care as
members of our family
Value of Economic Feeding.
After declaring that one Of the most
important cational fields is scientific
feeding. DR. Roy continued: Il know of
nothing of greater Importance to the
public than a knowledge OF economical
feeding" He said further that until
hospitals are furnished sufficient means
to care properly for the needy sick.
church or secular clubs can be formed
for this purpose, and no one is better
qualified to advise in the matter than the
trained nurse. The poor need hospital
facilities more than the well-to-do.
"All Of you will get married.. he said
in conclusion. "but Your field for educa-
ton will widen. You will each be the
head Of home. whether you are a suf-
fragette or not You have chosen a noble
task. l feel certain Your ideals are
high. You will now enter the homes
of sickness and distress May the Great
Healer bless your work that yau may
leave behind you sunshine and health
Admiral Stockton in saying goodbye
to the graduates outlined the duties
which would befall the young women.
and told them particularly that they
must not add to the burdens Of homes to
which they were called, but rather should
adapt themselves TO any conditions
which they might find.