The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-06-11
FOR SALE BY CRANE & CO,

and the thoughtless, learned and the
untutored, men and women of culture
and the uncouth, wealthy and the
destitute, the broad-minded and
bigots, the well and the sick-all
these classes and conditions of man
kind side by side, affording by their.
very contrast the more valuable in
struction for you.
From these varied relationships
YOU have unconsciously acquired
mental potse, many of the graces Of
life, and more or less of that indie
Unable but valuable asset known as
culture. From being placed many
times in embarrassing and difficult
positions. You have been forced 10 ac-
luire another valuable qualification
for the nurse-tact-the ability to
sail smotohly both in deep water
and among the shoals.
"The cares and restraints of home
life were merely displaced by others
equally rigorous and cxacting. No
doubt you have never before felt so
personally and vitality responsible for
your demeanor. Wisely indeed. you
have conducted yourselves IL some
times you have not been the subject
Of adverse personal criticism. From
40 class of persons is more expected
morally than from nurses. nor is
there any higher test of lofty char
scter than to.come out of the train
ing school with your moral armor un-
scathed. + MI XXI,
IF perchancei any OF you entered
training with any romantic IDEAS
about your profession You have long
since lost them. ofistern realities,
much labor, and unceasing effort has
your training consisted. Many wants
many pleasures, perhaps some real
needs you have sacrificed at this
shrine of your ambition, but not with
out reward lave been your labors anu
your sacrifices. The great law Of
compensation always sees to that. /,
you have. not obtained what you
sought, 1t is only because you have
gotten something better.
Self reliance, mental poise, preci-
sion, tact, the ability to act intelli-
!, gently and think clearly in emcr-
sencies, increased efficiency. greater
sympathy for your fellow-heings-
these are the attributes which you
have either acquired or had acccn-
tuated.
Hitherto, you have had behind
You a well-known institution and the
Population of those above you In au-
tlority to relieve you from such re-
sponsibility MS you were unqualified
&c bear and to shield you from such
criticism as resulted from your lack
os experience. Now you are going
forth to be judged by your own mer-
Iits.-fledglings as It were. That you
have reached this stage In your pro-
fessional life does gov greater hon
or. Let me remind you. however,
that for the nurse, there are many
footballs.
ITO the physician, more than any
ether, are the shortcomings of your
profession made known and to him
come most frequently the criticisms
Of your professional conduct. have
not the disposition, especially at this
time, to enter into n discussion of
this matter, nor do think 1t neces-
sary for your benefit and guidance.
J shall refer to but two very common
instances.
MANY times your relations with
the sick lead you into the twilight
zones of life, and you are called on
TO witness both the phenomena of life
and death. Lies most sacred secrets
are sometimes inevitably laid bare be-
fore you. Never fail to respect these
unsought condolences. What your
ivuN,ap ff-,-v. u,~,