Evening star., 1952-03-02
Why
Old?
By Josephine Lowmon

I feel that today I am in a
position to render a service to
many of my readers. to some Of
those women of middle age who
must support themselves or who
are bored with leisure and wish
to have career and at the same
time render service.
The shortage of nurses is
crucial today. It is placing great
burden on our hospitals. Because
of this and because OF the thou
sands of letters I receive from
women such as those have men,
toned I asked for an interview
with Miss Dorothy Weddige, r. NJ,
M. A., director of nursing educa-
ton and nursing service In New
York City,
She told me first about the
Central School for Practical
Nurses which is operated by the
Department of Hospitals of New
York City. This course takes IL
months. with two weeks vacation
allowed. Applicants who are &C
cepted are supplied with attrac-
tive room and board in the Gen.
trail Nurses Residence, are sup
tplied with uniforms and are given
$40 a month to cover expenses
incidental to the course. Laundry
is free. A health service is also
maintained for student practical
nurses.
Gather around and listen to the
requirements for admission. Ap-
plicants between the ages Of 1a
and so. who are American citi-
zens or who have legally declared
their intention Of becoming citi-
zens, who possess good health and
a personality suitable for caring
for the sick, and who have COM
Ipleted a minimum Of two years
IN an approved high school II they
are under the age Of 80 or have
graduated from elementary school
II they are over 80, are eligible.
This sounds quite different from
the, classified ads, which say:
Applicants must be under 80" or
mot over 35."
AS a matter of fact Miss We'd
dige told me that they have found
middle-aged women make splen-
did practical nurses. They are
steady and stable and exert a
good influence on the younger
nurses. Many of them have had
the kind of experience which
makes them especially we'll quali-
fed. They have been housewives
or reared families or cared for
the old people in their homes.
They even make exceptions in the
case OF the unusually well-uuali-
fed woman and may take her if
she is over so.
Here is one profession which
will welcome you! I have been
thinking about and looking for
something to fill the empty lives
and pocketbooks of intelligent
energetic women, who have been
penalized by the unintelligent age
stigma in modern business. Here
Is one profession which will ap-
Ipreciate what you have to give in
the way OF service. This is it!
You must remember, though.
that there are other qualifications
you must have. You will be on
your feet lot. You must have
good health. You must have the
sort OF personality which will have
healing rather than an irritat-
ing effect on the young and old
and Ill you will care for,
The opportunity I have lust
described is open to all women.
not just those who live in New
YORK City. For those of you who
cannot get to New York suggest
that you inquire of your local
medical association, or nurses
association, or local hospital. az
to what opportunities are avail
able in your city or nearby.
There are many schools scat
tered over the country for training
practical nurses. They are not
all like the Central School in New
York. Some of them require an
admission fee but this profession
is badly in need of you and many
OF you. / know, are in need of it.
One last bit of information. II
you wish to find out more about
the Central School for Practical
Nurses in New York write to the
director, Central School for Prac-
tlcal Nurses Residence, Welfare
Island II, New York, N. Y They
are now organizing classes for
next semester. ~