New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-11-10
23RD anniversary
|OF VISITING NURSES
Association Has Remarkable
Record for Growth and Service

Today the Visiting Nurse Assotia-
ton of New Britain celebrates its
23rd anniversary having been
founded November 10th. 1905. with
c. E. Wetmore as president. and a
hoard of directors. consisting of F.
n. Afford, William E. Beers. George
Il. Barry. James E. Cooper. w. l..
Damon. Noah s. Davis. b. F. Gaff-
ney. Joseph NJ. Halloran, George M.
Landers. E. F. Newman. H. c. No
BILE. Rev. DR.. S G. Gilman. D. Rior-
dan, A. J. Sloper, George p. Spear.
Arthur W. Epson. Marcus White and
DR.. E. L. Whittemore.
The purpose OF the association as
stated in that first constitution was
Ito provide competent nurses to
visit the homes OF such persons as
do not need, or are not able to Sc
cure the services Of resident
nurse"
The nursing profession has devel-
open considerably In these last
% years. and today the phrase
competent nurses" Is interpreted
to mean graduate registered nurses
only. The object OF the association
continues to be interpreted in the
same terms, but with greater con-
sideration for the nurse. and with
more stress on the preventive angles
of all nursing.
Hospital Service In Home
The visiting nurse service 10 Z
hospital service in the home. The
nurses can. and do give any treat
ment under the direction Of doc
tor. which they can give In a hos
pital. Free, part-pay and full pay
patients are given the same atten-
ton.
The difference between a visiting
nursing service and hospital nursing
service lies only in the fact that the
visiting nurse gives part time
nursing service in the homes. In
this way, people who do not need
the full time services OF a nurse
may have and pay for their neces-
sary care on visit basis, and the
remainder of heir care can be CIV
en- by the family or friends between
the nurses visits
In the early days Of the associa-
ton. the nurse nsWered any call
for sickness at any time OF day or
night. in any part OF the city. With
the development Of excellent hospi-
tai service and private duty
nurses registry. the Visiting Nurs-
Ing service gradually shaped and
fitted itself to play only its part in
the general munity plan Of
nursing service for all people at all
times. The service is therefore now
limited to the definite hours Of 8 4.
m. to p. M. with special arrange
ments for care to maternity cases
at the time when needed.
II Graduate Nurses
So with the passing Of % years
under the direction Of a board Of
% progressive women. the Visiting
Nurse Association finds itself grown
out OF childhood into maturity with
staff Of eleven graduate registered
field nurses. one supervisor. a nurse
director. an office manager. ard
part-time clerk. With a budget for
the present year Of $4,000. part Of
which is supplied by the paying pa.
tients. part by the City Of New Brit.
ain. and the remainder by the Com
munity chest.
In 1927 the new patients admitted
increased II per cent over 1926 and
30 per cent over 1925. The total
visits made during 1927 were 49,.
'94 against 1888 In 1925 and H.
391 in 1925.
The average number Of nurses on
duty in 1927 was nine, in 1925, 81
and in 1925. So.
1t Is with some pleasure that the
association views the lowering Of the
infant mortality rate in New Brit
ain. for 1t is felt that undoubtedly
the infant welfare program OF the
Visiting Nurse Association. which
begins with the care OF the mother
before the baby Is born. offers at
tendN7,e at birth. care for the first
ten days after birth. and supervision
for the first you years Of life through
its Well Baby Conference ~ystem,
has had its effect in this reduction
More visiting nurses would enable
a better piece Of work to b done
and all the city in a more favora' 10
conf arison with the state infant
mortality rate OF SIS in 1927
a gainst the 71.2 for New Britain.