Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-09-29

remedies, nevertheless. we must deny
any such improvement in the general
condition. as is found with heliothe-
rapy. Then, too. l cannot help feel
ing that the greatly increased meta
bolism necessary to maintain the
! body temperature during exposure of
the naked body to the cold has much
to do with the Improvement found"
Nursing Section Meets
While the medical section held
forth in the House the feminine men,
bers Of the convention were gathered
in the Council room for a discussion
OF their own problems under the
guidance of Miss Elena Nj. CROUCH,
Concord. y. H., supervising nurse of
the New Hampshire State Board of
Health.
Miss Hazel Wedgewood. Washing
ten. d. c., of the American Child Hy-
glene association opened the meeting
with a discussion of the training
methods to be employed for stand
ardization of public health nursing.
The need of Standardization is
evident" said Miss Wedgewood, land
present conditions inicate that def
mite standards are necessary to do
work effectually."
Before going further with the sub
ject. we should define the public
health nurse. The definition that |
like best is a graduate nurse doing
any form of public work in which her
training as a nurse comes into play
Shes hould he hospital graduate of
at least two years training in all
branches. II not a hospital graduate
she should have had broad experience
on some well-recogniZed and able
staff. There are few hospitals that
teach public health work and it
necessarily comes as post graduate
work. Thus the qualifications for a
public health nurse are so high today
that the supply of trained workers is
limited.
The nurse should have know
ledge of normal health and should
know how TO secure il: she should
have a knowledge of orthopedics and
should be familiar with mental by
eiene and the causes of maladjus-
ment. In addition she should recog-
nize the early cardinal symptoms of
communicable diseases. Social dag
nosis must see the individual in re-
lation to society"
The ideal public health nurse
should be healthy herself She should
have clerical ability and Keep her
records carefully. In summarizing:
Public health work needs well-bred.
well trained and well -educa ed
| N nd
the rural districts. The unskilled
nurse wastes time and makes serious
blunders."
Miss Edith [. Soule
1.-THE Standardization Of public
health nursing is me goal for which
instructors, supervisors and the in
dividual nurses strive. but which
seems ever just beyond our reach:
for Just as one thinks the goa, is in
sight, new demands are put upon the
public nurse and again we must ad-
just our program and rearrange our
Standards This was the opening
thought of Miss Edith l.. Soule, Au-
custa, Me, State supervising nurse,
State department of health
The variety of organizations sup
porting the work. and the lack of
public health fundamentals in the
course in training schools for nurses
and the necessity Of spending pre-
cious time to obtain this information
is among our greatest handicaps
I'VE might consider the essentials
for standardization under several
headings: ]. Special training in pub
lie health nursing. ,. Study Of
local. county, state and national
health programs. 3. Close coopera
ton with the county and State med-
cal ssociation. 4. Standing rules and
: standard technique. 5. Careful SUI
perVision. &. Accurate record keep
ing on standard forms for State or
y. O. r. H. \. :. Frequent group
conferences of nurses and supervs-
ors"
Miss Soule elaborated upon each of
the seven points outlined in Il very
interesting and lucid manner In
concluding her paper. she summar-
lied the essentials for Standardized =
ton as follows:
Increased educa tional opportuni-
ties for special courses. with cam
4
up the work when prepared for the
requirements of public health nurs-
ing!
The careful considerable of estab-
lished programs for State department
OF health or State health association
IN order that their material may be
made available to the greatest num-
Der of people.
THAT there be closer co-opera
ton between the nursing and medi-
cal professions in order that there
need be no misunderstanding in re-
gard to object and methaors Of
nurses work.
That the adoption Of record and
report forms recommended by the
State health authorities OF y. o. y.
II. A. Will greatly facilitate the work
of The nurses and make il possible to
have a more uniform method of re-
porting.
The adoption of standing orders
and standard technique will protect
the nursing service against misun
Outstanding of. motives and methods
and give to the nurses good work
ing guide.
The frequent group conferences of
nurses with supervisor and other Of
ficials whose work comes into CON
! tact with the nurses work is most
, valuable opportunity to establish
! through conference better under
standing of the aims and ideals