The Need for Nurses

A recruitment drive for nurses is to take place this month and there is an immediate need for girls to take up this wonderful profession.

Nursing is not a particularly easy life, but for a girl with ability and dedication the rewards are great - in helping and attending to the needs of the sick and suffering.

The remunerative rewards, too, are now in line with other occupations and the hours, while entailing shift work, are good. Penal rates are paid for hours outside normal and there is ample time off.

We have followed the progress of Wendy O'Connell through her three years of training, from the time of entry at the hospital until that gratifying moment of graduation.

Part of the three year course takes in two periods of four weeks each in the operating theatre. Duties include assistance at operations and the preparation of instruments before surgery.

Student nurses are greeted on arrival at the nurses' home and made welcome.

A total of eighteen weeks is spent on maternity training. This period includes all aspects of obstetric nursing.

Attention is given to an infant in the isolette which is used for the care of premature babes.

Bathing a baby.

Attendance is regular at school throughout the three years and amounts to 536 hours of tutoring.

Nurses work in close co-operation with medical people in various departments. Comforting young people and assisting the doctor in the outpatients area (above) is just one of the many facets of a nurse's career.

Training includes care of children (below left) and working in the adult wards (below right)--in these cases, medicine for the child and a dressing for an amputee.

Special diets for particular patients are required and nurses must be able to prepare this type of meal. Hospital kitchens are up-to-date and are streamlined for efficient preparation of food.

Nursing is confined not only to hospital but includes a certain amount of time working with district nurses who attend to people in their own homes.

Accommodation is provided for nurses in modern blocks such as this at Gisborne's Cook Hospital.

At the end of the working day a trainee is able to relax and read for extra study or enjoyment in the privacy of her own room if she wishes.

After the three years' training and a series of exams comes the great day of graduation. It is then that a nurse stands on the threshold of a great career and realises that all the study, training and work have been worthwhile.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 172 : October 9, 1968

The Need for Nurses