Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-06-22
The Story of Two Nurses.
By T. A. Hightower, Superintendent
Addison Mills.

Addison MlltS.
The position of resident nurse is
what the person who fills the position
makes it. Whether the plant is small
or large makes little difference. Use
full work will always be found by the
nurse who wants to be useful and
who isn't lacking in Imagination. The
woman without vision, training and
experience, as Mr.. Hightower says,
will find herself acting as a basin
passer and bandage, or if her employ
er knows what real nurse ought to
do, will find herself out of job
Editors Note.
Two nurses entered two factories
about the same time. One was a
graduate of a large hospital and had
done private nursing for wealthy pa
tients for 10 years. The husband OF
her last patient owned factory and
offered her the position of resident
nurse.
She found herself in sunny, white
frst-aid room. Few patients came and
those who did come seldom returned.
To ward off boredom she made lin
gerie, knit sweaters, read current lit
erature and engaged in the ancient
- of l,;1l;no time
Of course, she liked her Sundays
off, took hours off whenever she
could, wished there were more holl-
days in the calendar, thought much
about her vacation, felt she couldn't
live unless she had perfect nights
sleep, undisturbed by any calls from
inconsiderate patients, and seemed to
love her job because it gave her an
opportunity to play at being lady
of leisure. +.
Her employer, however, noticed her
idleness and being fairly thrifty IN
dividual, as well as a good executive
he invited her to become assistant to
the employment manager.
He felt that he was offering her
wonderful business opening.
The job he offered her would bring
her closer to the people, would en-
able her to establish many human
contacts and she would be in position
to render many services.
She, however, announced that she
had been trained as nurse and
would not waste her time as clerk
in an employment Office.
In six months she had shown no re-
suits and actually was asked to re-
sign.
A forewoman, in addition to her
regular duties, does, to the satisfac-
tion of everyone, all that this nurse
had done and more.
The employer said recently, i
want no more nurses in my plant.
They cost too much a nd do not IN
crease production"
Of course, he hadn't given the
trained nurse idea a fair trial. He
happened to be unfortunate in get
ting hold of a nurse who was lazy;
who lacked imagination and who, ap-
narentlv. knew nothing whatever
about the true spirit of service.
A second manufacturer spent some
time looking for nurse. When ne
found one who loved to do things IN
a businesslike way and who had the
personality which he felt would win
the confidence of his workers, he en-
gagged her.
Instead of sitting around the first
aid room, doing fancy work, this
nurse spent most of her time in the
plant. Here she found many things
to do.
Slowly but surely, in cooperation
with the management, she has fasten-
ed the safety-frst idea so firmly in
the minds of the workers that there
are few accidents in her plant. The
first-aid room is open, of course, but
the need for frst-aid very largely has
disappeared.
The nurse has devoted her atten-
ton to the health of the workers and
their families and to civic cleanliness.
She calls regularly at the different
homes and gives SO much common
sense, helpful advice that her visits
always are welcome.
Naturally the work of this nurse
is still growing. Her employer said,
"She is the most important person
in the plant. She can stay as long as
she likes and when she retires we will