The Nurses

Gone are the days when nursing was regarded as little more than something to do if you had nothing else in view.

With the superior technologies available, and the advancement of medicine and surgery to today's standards, a nursing career requires a keen, educated mind, excellent health, a desire to serve the sick selflessly, and a dedication to this noble profession.

Hence, in the immediate future, School Certificate will be the minimum requirement to begin a general nursing career.

The commencing age fpr nursing is 17 and the term of training is three years, with a fourth required as a staff nurse.

Salary commences at £502 per year, or £559 for U.E., with yearly raises, and overtime rates for hours worked in excess of 40 per week. Extra payment is made for night duties, Saturdays and Sundays, and statutory holidays. Board is charged at the rate of £4 per week.

Three shifts are worked daily and these are morning (6.45am - 3pm), afternoon (2.45pm - 11pm), and night (10.46pm-7am). An allowance is made for uniforms, shoes and stockings.

Sick leave according to service, one day off a week, and an annual leave of 28 days make the profession most attractive to the girl who is willing to qualify.

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Work in the wards predominates in the life of a nurse, and trainees are taught all aspects of patient care. Emily Taukamo (centre) and Patricia McKenzie change a dressing.

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Operating theatre techniques are a part of the course and Kathleen Friar, under the expert tuition of Sister P. Morrison, assists at a small operation.

An obstetrics course is one phase of nursing, and practical training is given in the maternity wards.

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Rangimarie Andrews identifies a new-born baby with an ankle tag.

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Lesley Queen feeds a baby in the isolette which gives controlled conditions for premature babies.

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Classes include instruction in anatomy, and with Tutor Sister M. Newing, Julienne Soames discusses the skeletal structure of the human form.