The Work of a City Visiting Nurse
By L. A. H.
ONE of our nurses, Miss June Brickey, is engaged as a visiting nurse by the Woman’s Relief Association of Miami, Fla. The report of her work suggests that this is a field of usefulness that might be occupied by others of our nurses to good advantage in presenting our health principles and methods in homes. “I must say I love this work, and think it an ideal one for our nurses. It offers a broad field of usefulness, and furnishes many opportunities of giving spiritual help. I was asked last March to take the position; and while my experience in this line had been limited, I felt the need, and accepted the position. I am paid a monthly salary by the association, and I pay my living expenses.” “The primary object of the association is to care for the sick who are unable to care for themselves. However, if any who are able to pay for the service rendered need a nurse for an hour or so each day, I go for the time needed, and a charge of fifty cents an hour is made. In this way the association gets a little money for running expenses. Clothing, groceries, etc., are also furnished to the destitute. If the things needed are not on hand, I usually go to some friend21of the association, or make a call for whatever is needed, and I always find some one ready with a donation.” “I will give a case as an illustration of what we do: A family came here from the North. The father was a shoemaker, but could not find work, so found difficulty in providing for the family. Soon he was taken to the hospital sick with typhoid fever. Just as he returned home, his two little boys came down with it. The case was reported to me. I spent each afternoon caring for the boys. Just about the time they were recovering, the mother broke down completely. The association and its friends furnished food and clothing, and finally, when all were able to travel, we made up the traveling expenses, and sent them back North, where the father had work promised him. I have since had correspondence with them, and am sending them tracts and other literature.” “I have two chronic tubercular patients, to whom I give treatment twice a week. One has been in bed nearly two years. The past week I have had for a patient a little Italian girl with cerebrospinal meningitis. The parents did not understand even the first principles of nursing. As they could understand very little of what I said, it was hard to make them understand or follow directions, so eight or ten hours were spent with the child each day for several days. They were nearly frantic with fear and grief, as this was their only living child. They pleaded with me to save her, and I tried to explain that I could not do anything except as God worked through me and answered our prayers. When at last, after four days, she aroused from her semicomatose condition, they were most grateful and very profuse in thanks, which they tried in their broken language to bestow on me. Again, I could only tell them that God alone has the power to heal. At each visit of the doctor, they tell him how much I have done. They are Catholics and understand very little of the English language, but I already have the promise that the little girl shall attend Sabbath-school with me when she gets well.” “I often go in response to a call from some doctor. Sometimes the doctor will turn the case over to me. This has been done even in some serious cases, with perhaps an occasional visit from the doctor to see how the patient is doing and to give any needed instruction. I have distributed quite a large amount of literature on sanitation.” “Since taking up this work I have often wondered why we could not form some general plan whereby more of our nurses could be employed in this way. Possibly it could be done by conference direction and support, or as a self-supporting work. The money received from those able to pay helps to care for those who cannot pay. The receipts are not sufficient to meet the expense, but persons interested in practical philanthropy seem glad to help. A nurse may not earn so much as she might in some other ways, but the work has other compensation. It is most enjoyable to one whose heart is in it, and as long as I am able I want to do this kind of work.” Monthly meetings of the association are held, at which the nurse submits a report of her work. Miss Brickey has taken occasion to present some excellent principles on the importance of guarding the health, the care of the sick, etc. Her reports have been printed in full in the city paper, thus giving further publicity to health principles. L. A. H.