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114 THE NIGHTINGALE FUND.
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Transcript
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
1 The Council.—C. H. Bracebridge, Esq.; ...
the cost of board and lodging * of some of the pupil nurses , but it is expected that this will not be required after the institution has
become better known . In addition to the practical instruction of the Midwife , the
probationers have the benefit of lectures , twice a week , most kindly iven by Dr . _Meadows , one of the Assistant Physicians for the
Diseases g of Women and Children . It may _ajDpearat first sightthat the number of nurses trained
is small in comparison , with the , amount expended . It must , howeverbe borne in mind that the object which it is desired to attain ,
namel , y , to raise the standard of education and character among nursesas a classcan only be effected by small beginnings , and
necessaril , y , at first , , at considerable expense . Moreover , this cannot be done merely by giving a pT "& ctiGsH and scientific training ;
the moral atmosphere of the school , so to speak , is of the greatest importance . Hence , the necessity also of great care in admitting
as probationers those only who are impressed with a strong sense of duty in desiring to improve themselves , and to do credit to the
calling to which they propose to devote themselves . Some difficulty has been hitherto encountered in finding fitting
applicants for the vacancies . Persons of superior manners and education , ladies in fact , are not as a rule required , but rather women of
somewhat more than ordinary _intellig-ence , belonging * to those classes in which -women are habitually employed in earning their own
livelihood . Ladies are not excluded ; on the contrary , where sufficient evidence is shown that they intend to pursue the calling * as a business ,
and have those qualifications which will fit them to become sui _3 erintendentstheir admission would be considered an advantage . It is
much to , be desired that those who are interested in the success of the Nihtingale Fund should exert themselves to make known its
g objects among persons of the above description , so as to afford a larger supply of suitable applicants . The institution undoubtedly
affords an _opjDortunity to women to fit themselves for an employment of a superior kind .
The ultimate success , however , of the scheme must depend on economical grounds . It is believed that the means are now afforded
of producing examples of what a real nurse ought to be , such as Florence Nihtingale would have her be ; it remains for their
emby ployers ing , viz an ., g the adequ public ate remuneration , to display a for just their appreciation services . of As their a rule valu , the e
wages pay of a nurse , especially in the provincial _hosjDitals and infirmaries , have not been sufficient to ensure proficiency . The rate of wages at
St . Thomas ' s Plospital for nurses is £ 21 , with board and lodgingthe salary of the sisters varies from £ 60 without board and lodging
to £ 50 with it . In recommending the probationers for employment , it is stipulated that the payment shall not be less than £ 20 witlt
board , lodging * , and washing . Three have recently obtained £ 25 ,
114 The Nightingale Fund.
114 THE NIGHTINGALE FUND .
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Citation
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English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), April 1, 1863, page 114, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01041863/page/42/
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