Page:A short history of nursing - Lavinia L Dock (1920).djvu/368

This page needs to be proofread.
352
A Short History of Nursing

352 A Short History of Nursing for the fostering of good standards in nursing schools. At the bottom of all our educational problems lies an economic problem, which must be solved if our work is to grow and live. The absolute de- pendence of the 'nursing school on the hospital leaves it with practically no means for the develop- ment of its educational work. Private endow- ments or public funds must be found to put this work on a sound financial basis. There are many other things to be done for the profession at large. The hours of work both in nursing schools and in private nursing are often too long, and many nurses have not yet as full opportunities as they should have for wholesome recreation and self -improvement . Graduate nurses in all branches of nursing need to have fair re- muneration for their services in order that they may maintain their health and efficiency and provide for the future. But while we need to unite in working for better conditions, it would be unfortunate if we should allow ourselves to place too much emphasis on our own physical comfort and well being and on the money we receive, rather than on the opportunity for service, which has always been the supreme thing with those nurses whom we honour in the past.