Selection of Students for Our Schools of Nursing

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FED Outlook, Vol 25, No 6, June 1936

Selection of Students for Our Schools of Nursing

By Bertha F. Parker

Superintendent of Nurses, Manila Sanitarium

.

Why have nurses?

There is a crying need ringing in our ears today from those who are sick and suffering, from those who are ignorant and in distress. The one who can fill this need, the one who can relieve sickness and suffering, the one who can teach prevention and cure o£ disease, and the one who can succor and nourish is the one most desired, the one most sought for. What individual can better fill this position than the real nurse?

One health educator defines the real nurse as one who is a social worker, a health worker, and an educator. Another authority says, "Those selected to take the nurses' course should be wisely chosen. Only those should be accepted who give promise of becoming qualified for the great work of imparting the principles of true health reform."

Briefly stated the entrance requirements should consist of the following: excellent character, adequate preliminary education, good health, a pleasing personality, and sufficiently mature age.

We say character is what a person really is, not what people think he is.

CHARACTER

Those selected to train as nurses should possess a good moral character free from reproach, and a spirit of conscientious, Christ-like service for humanity.

"Ignorance, forgetfulness, and recklessness have caused the death of many who might have lived had they received the proper care from judicious, thoughtful nurses."

EDUCATION

Wise, intelligent nurses are now needed. The minimum standard should be graduation from an accredited academy or high school with an average rating no less than the middle third of the class, preference being given to those in the upper third. The course should include science and mathematics; such as biology, chemistry, physics, advanced arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and a sound working knowledge of English where English text books are to be used.

HEALTH

What is good health,—positive health?

"Positive health may be defined as a body free from any handicap either mental or physical, with a  resistance which enables it to withstand environmental attacks to reduce its power, and with a spiritual tone which is the keynote of a pleasing personality."

"The efficiency of the nurse depends to a great degree upon physical vigor. The better the health

the better will she be able to endure the strain of attendance upon the sick, and the more successfully can she perform her duties."

PERSONALITY

"Every.nurse is to be a channel of blessing, receiving light from above and letting it shine forth to others."

             

"Nurses and all who have to do with the sick room should be cheerful, calm, and self-possessed."

Life and death are in the hands of those who minister to the sick.  Only wise, mature minds, those who have had some experience with life and it's problems can meet these crises intelligently and efficiently.

AGE

The age of those chosen should be no less than nineteen years and no more than twenty-eight years.

"Young girls of a superficial mold of character should not be encouraged to take up this work."

HOW TO OBTAIN PROPER STUDENTS

Aids to obtaining student nurses with the foregoing qualities are as follows: lectures before student groups, clubs, and various organizations, and letters to directors and superintendents of schools, setting forth the seriousness and sacredness of the nursing profession, with careful explanation and thorough discussion of the standards essential to produce "the educated  nurse," which, according to Louise White, "should be the kindest person, the finest person, the most honorable, and the most considerate."

The applicant should be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing in the church, with a Christian experience that suggests bright possibilities for fitness as a medical missionary nurse.

Recommendation forms requesting information as to character and personality should be assembled after having been filled out by persons of experience and personal acquaintance with the applicant. These persons may be the mission director, the elder of the church, the principal of the school from which the applicant graduated and the person in charge of the school home where the applicant has attended an academy or boarding school.

The family physician may fill out the health certificate, a recheck  being made by a physician of the institution. The health examination should include attention to the eyes, teeth, X-ray of chest and a thorough laboratory examination.

It is a recognized fact that a nurse of average size or somewhat above, gives the patient a feeling of confidence in lifting and handling as well as in her powers of endurance; therefore it seems wise to suggest that the majority of those chosen for each class be at least five feet tall, the weight being within the normal range for height and age.

Wherever and whenever possible, a personal interview should be made with the applicant because it gives a much, better picture of the individual's personality than can be obtained by a photograph or recommendation blank.

Sane, sound, unbiased judgment should be exercised by the committee whose duty it is to make the final decision as to the prospective student's fitness for nursing.

In closing let me suggest that those selected and retained in the school be only those applicants who give promise of developing into the type of nurse you would wish to have care for you or your dearest when life and death are hanging in the balance.

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FED Outlook, Vol 25, No 3, March 1936
 Medical Work Among the Churches in the Cavite District
BY P. S. MAGSALIN
 The churches in the Cavite district were very fortunate in having our traveling nurse visit them a second time. The first visit was made by nurse Juan Cristobal, who is now in Mindanao. The second nurse to visit this district was Miss Vergara. Nurse Cristobal labored mostly among our own people, very little being done for those not of our faith. A few health lectures were given by him to outsiders.
 The importance of the work of a field nurse began to be recognized as -a result of our last Harvest Ingathering Campaign. As our solicitors visited the homos of the people, our medical work was explained to them, and the promise given that a traveling nurse would visit them sometime. When the promised nurse finally came the people flocked to her for consultation.
 The people marvelled at the work and help received from this nurse. The average nurse, to their knowledge, only cared for the sick and performed the duties of a midwife. But how surprised they were to see a nurse doing a greater work than, they had expected. This nurse cared for their sick, was a midwife, served as a dentist, gave health lectures on healthful living, worked with the people right in their homes, and all was free of charge. This nurse was available at all hours and did not spare herself in the least. She also spoke to them of Jesus and His power to heal sin-sick humanity.
 We fully believe that the work of the traveling nurse will open the way for the public to see and to know what we are endeavoring to do for them. Our health work will remove prejudice and many will be willing to listen to the truths of the gospel.
 During Miss Vergara's recent visit the following work was done: 326 given personal advice, 145 treatments given, 12 public lectures given, 62 visits and calls, and 145 teeth extracted. All this was done within a period of eighteen days. Her work has been a blessing not only to our own people but to outsiders as well. May God's mighty hand be put forth among the people and cause them to see the way of salvation.