Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-28
CLIO. Nursing Service
Information for Applicants
APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
MARCH Fl, 1917

AR c 150-March, 1917-Supersedes
Nursing Service Form No. II and A..
q = mo

A r c 150-March, 1e17-Supersedes
Nursing Service Form No. II and A.
C 1903
The American Nurses association, at
its annual meeting held in 1909. voted
to affiliate with the American Red
Cross Nursing Service. Later in the
same year a national committee on
nursing service, composed OF 10 mem
bers representing the two organlza-
tons. was appointed.
This committee was made response
BILE for the establishment Of uniform
standards for the enrolment of Red
Cross nurses, for the appointment OF
state and local committees, and exer-
cises general supervision over all mat
tiers pertaining to the nursing service
of the Red Cross.
In accordance with proclamation
issued by the President of the United
States in 1911, the American Red Cross
was authorized by the government as
the only volunteer agency permitted to
render aid to the land and naval forces
in time of war.
Enrolled Red Cross nurses therefore
constitute the reserve of the Army and
Navy Nurse corps. In addition to war
relief service they are frequently call
ed out for volunteer service in time of
disaster and where large numbers are
assembled for conventions. parades,
celebrations and for other occasions
where accidents and illness are likely
to occur.
OF 5000 nurses and over already en-
rolled under the American Red Cross
G,500 being enrolled during 1870, many
have had training or experience in the
care of contagious diseases and their
prevention. It is the purpose Of the
Red Cross to utilize the services of
such nurses If called upon for aid dur
ing serious epidemics.
To meet the obvious needs for public
health nursing in rural districts and
small towns, the American Red Cross
established Town and Country Nurs-
ing Service in 1912. A special commit
tee was made responsible for the direc-
ton OF this service, with a superin-
tendent as the executive officer. To
coordinate all nursing activities. re-
sponsibility for the Town and Country
Nursing Service was later transferred
~ VIC hoeiOlldl SOIIlIIllllSe ana the title
Of superintendent of this bureau was
changed to director.
courses of instruction for women
other than nurses have been provided
by the Red Cross and placed under the
direction OF the Nursing Service these
courses being Elementary Hygiene and
Home Care Of the Sick, Home Diet
cues, and Preparation Of Surgical
dressings. A special . circular, No.
13s. gives information concerning this
instruction.
With the rapid DEVELOPMENT of these
courses and the need of a large CORPS
u 1eeo cross nurses as instructors and
examiners for these classes, together
with the increasing demand for Red
cross Public Health Nurses, the ma
tlohal committee has been ENLARGED.
and includes in its membership renre-
sentation of nurses, not only from the
American Nurses association. bu+
from the National League of Nursing
education, and the National Organ
lzatlon for Public Health Nursing.
PROVISION was made at the annual
meeting OF the Red Cross in 1915 not
only for the appointment of such a
committee but for the creation of a
bureau of nursing service and the en.
ployment-of a director.
The term Red Cross Nursing Ser
vice includes the national committee.
state and local committees on Nurs.
ing Service and such other committees
as IT may deem necessary to appoin,
all enrolled Red Cross nurses including
members of the Town and Country