The sun., 1916-08-18
THE MALE NURSE.
10 His Ardseas Occupation 70,
Lightly Regarded?


TO THE EDITOR or THE suN-sr. why
In my profession does the public give
consideration to n sex? II engaged
in by a woman II IL an ennobling voca-
ton. II . man engage in II he 10 re-
garded as = necessary evil. Possibly
appreciation may be shown by those
Immediately interested, but indifference
Is finally shown after listening to ad-
verso remarks by MIR. and Mrs. Busy
body, who tel, Of the demoralising con-
dition that they know not Of except by
hearsay. I am referring to the male
nurse who has specialized on the men,
tai and neurotic diseases. and who the
public considers merely Al a attendant.
The attendant does not receive q
theoretical as well as practical train
ing the nurse does. The mental nurse
receives a course Of study which includes
psychology. both normal and abnormal.
hears lectures on the different mental
diseases and how to cope with them
with the least amount Of resistance on
the part Of the patient.
The practical part consists OF spe-
c!allzins with individual patients q GER
lain length Of time. observing symptoms
and learning how quietly to manage
them. The nurse makes notes Of symp-
toms and how they were met. which the
doctor peruses and corrects. Besides
this. the course later takes In general
nursing.
Mental nursing should Be considered
higher than general nursing. a. each
case Is individual. The acts Of the pa
tient may change. calling for quick
judgment or the part Of the nurse. who.
not having time to call for advice from
the physician. has to act on his "
initiative. The general nurse has to fol-
low out a regular routine. The differ
ent phases are known and instructions
are given In advai. re. o.
The mental nurse has to be diplomatic.
quick In Judgment. know when to be
strict and when to be lenlent. n how
to secure helpful action and to win the
cooperation of the patient.
1t is disturbing to the male mental
nurse. for We are human, TO feel the
sentiment on the part Of the public
toward us as compared to the reception
OF our sisters. We are engaged In a
humane vocation. We feel We have ac-
complished something when We have
quieted the. terrible fears Of our patient.
We put our profession on a high plane.
only to have It dashed to the ground
when W. hear ourselves referred to as.
'Oh. he is only q nNrse."
II is said We are presum!ng. Now
reason his out. We do not voluntarily
force ourselves into the family circle.
~ -t-l 49,. y-- -,h~sl-.
we wish It or not. We are certainly
not servants. 1t Is understood we are
to be one OF the family in a sense.
Take this In consideration. We are
with n patient twenty-five ~ OF TWEEN
ty-four hours. During that time. apart
from sleeping hours. we are associated
only with one person. listening to his
troubles or combating an adverse will
by our own mental power. There is
practically no relaxation. In order TO be
as tranquil as possible with our patient
1t is necessary the family should act to
Offset the effect the patient has upon us.
our minds of the many things that do
not c those whose occupations allow
variety during the day.
l ask tho public not 70 Judge US by
the inefficient. who have no standing.
who. are sent by certain registries as
nurses. although having no training.
Take us as individuals.
Mclean Hospital. waverly. Mass.
boasts that fully one.half OF its male
graduates later took college courses and
are now doctors. lawyers or occupying
other positions equally as high.
l also ask the public to see the hospi-
tai training schools, find out the reason
why there are not more efficient men
who are willing to take up this work.
!. there are fully one-half Of Mclean
graduates who are able enough to 90
through college there certainly must be
many more who would tax Up this
vocation II conditions were made so
they could say what they were doing
with pride.
That Is the trouble there II no honor
according to the public in being a male
nurse. But why not? II all profess
sions were Judged by the incompetents
who would he respected? So in ending
give us our due. Our creed Is. do unto
others as you would have them do unto
YOU" our aim To make easier the life
Of one mentally suffering.
MALE GRADUATE nurse, MENTAL
srocKBRID0E. Mass, August II.