Evening star., 1943-03-28
Washington's Youngest
Nursing Unit Grows Up


rapidly to other cities. The signers Of
the articles of incorporation are Mrs.
George Marshall Mrs. Patterson, Mrs
William R. Smedberg, jr.; Mrs. Bard,
Mrs. McCook Knox and Mrs Arthur
Macarthur.
A year ago, when Washington's young
est nursing unit started it's volunteer war
work, assisting nurses at the hospital,
eyebrows were lifted. Great doubt was
expressed that young girls could be Of
any real help in such an institution,
where all patients are critically i'll and
the average stay is only nine days.
The Training Course.
o. K. Fike, director of Doctors Hos
pital, recognized hospital authority, had
faith in the girls ability and in their
earnestness of purpose. So the first
class of Jangos wss started. At first
they were allowed to take over only
minor duties. Their work has proved
so competent the hospital finds them a
valuable addition.
Before a girl is permitted to attend
patients, she must complete the course.
The girls receive short instruction on
personal hygiene and sickroom tech
nique. During the first weeks of train
ing, they merely bring trays, attend to
flowers, take telephone messages, ETC.,
details that give them no direct con-
tact with the patient. AS their training
proceeds, their duties become more re-
sponsible.
Mrs. James F. Meier, assistant direc-
tress of nurses, gives the girls practi-
cal course in training, comprising the
basic principles of nursing. They are
taught the dos and don'ts of sickrcom
technique, details of care that make for
the comfort and well-being of patients
AS Mrs. Meier expresses it, These
girls, in spite of their youth, are willing
and eager to do anything to help. Their
tasks are often hard and monotonous,
but they never complain They have
caught the true nursing spirit-the de-
sire to be of service"
In spite of the fact that these girls
continue their regular high school work,
they give six hours Week-between the
hours of 430 and 9-to duty ION the
floor" having dinner at the hospital
They also spend from 10 until in class
on Saturday and work in shifts on floor
duty" all day Saturday and Sunday. The
entire course, leading to certificate,
consists of A hours of theory in the
classroom and 88 hours practice of
theory in the classroom where they take
turns being patients"
Unit Is Self-Governing.
The Jangos are a completely self
governing organization, assigning their
own hours of duty, discussing ways and
means of bettering their service and
administering reprimands occasionally.
During the present acute shortage Of
nurses, their help has been invaluable.
Since the girls do most Of the leg
work"-and so faithfully and willingly
the overworked nurses look upon them
as an answer to prayer. AS for the girls
themselves, their eyes have been opened
to new world and the Joy of service.
The uniforms the girls wear are Of
their own choosing. They are most
artistic and appropriate-a bright blue
cotton dress trimmed in red and white,
made en- youthful lines, tight bodice and
full gathered skirt, with handy pocket.
Now when the first class will receive its
caps they will be distinguished from the
novice Jangos, but all the girls when
on duty must wear hair nets or have
their hair pinned up and must wear
uniform when doing floor duty.
The zeal with which these young girls
have carried on their volunteer war
work. and their competence, in spite of
their youth, have been most inspiring.
1t is another evidence Of young America
stepping forward to do its part at q
critical time when the manpower and
womanpower shortage Is such problem.
(Cooyrisht 1ez3J