Practical Work for Postgraduate Nurses

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 14, 1911

Practical Work for Postgraduate Nurses

FEELING that the time has fully come when “medical missionary work is to be carried forward with an earnestness with which it has never yet been done,” the Washington Foreign Mission Seminary and Washington Sanitarium are offering not only elementary nursing work to all mission students, but a postgraduate nurses’ course to those who desire to go to the mission field to engage in medical missionary work in the large cities or in medical institutions. Three months out of the twelve which it takes to complete this course are devoted to practical hospital work in the Central Dispensary and Emergency Hospital of the city of Washington. While we hesitated somewhat to affiliate with another institution, we found good discipline prevalent in the hospital and home connected with it, and were able to make satisfactory arrangements concerning the Sabbath and with regard to our keeping in close touch with the nurses there. A graduate nurse who is just completing her work there, has this to say of its value to her:—

“I believe the efficiency of any nurse would be materially increased for either city or foreign work by having had this training. During the first seven weeks of duty here, I served as general-duty nurse in the wards and private rooms; as supervisor of fourth floor; as night nurse of third floor, or senior night nurse; and emergency-room nurse. Ninety-one patients have been under my personal care and observation in the wards and private rooms. These have suffered from a large variety of ailments, consisting of fractures, dislocations, skin-graft, burns, skull concussions, gunshot, phenol- and bichlorid-poisoning, amputations, epilepsy, apoplexy, malaria, typhoid fever, pneumonia, appendicitis, alcoholism, morphinism, and hydrophobia. There were a number of miscellaneous cases which have been omitted from this list, but of no less interest to the medical profession.

“It has been my privilege to redress a number of cases daily in the surgical dispensary. They return to the dispensary after having first aid in the emergency-room. Thus this clinic proves of great benefit in the after-treatment of wounds and the care of skin diseases, ulcers, burns, etc., which often have been first dressed under the most uncleanly conditions, and it is only by the faithful efforts of the physicians and nurses that the infection is overcome.

“Nearly every case admitted to the hospital comes through the emergency-room, and here again the nurse in charge has the opportunity to observe closely the many varieties of cases admitted, in assisting in the dressings, and is often permitted actually to do the suturing herself. The physicians seem to place much confidence in our ability, and are anxious to teach us those things which will be of inestimable value to us in our future work. Thus opportunities are offered for actual experiences in this line of work, which will no doubt help us to care for similar cases on our own responsibility, if necessary.

“In the operating-room the nurse has charge of instruments, sponges, solutions, and suture materials. As there is a daily average of from one to three operations, a large variety of work is done here, and she becomes accustomed to assisting many different physicians.

“Clinics for children’s diseases, skin diseases, eye, ear, nose, and throat, chest, X-ray, and special clinics have daily hours, and nurses often assist the physicians. Thus we see an ever-changing class of patients, which broadens our knowledge by practical experience and observation. We have found the physicians, both internes and externes, to be men of good moral character, whom we greatly respect.

“I would not consider this work from merely a medical view-point. Our influence as Christians and Seventh-day Adventists has had its weight, not only upon patients, but upon nurses and physicians with whom we are daily associated. Strict observance of health principles has excited some comment, and many times inquiry has been made concerning other doctrinal points of faith. It is hoped that the seeds of truth sown at the hospital may sometime spring into a new spiritual existence.”

Excellent as this is, we trust that in the near future we shall have a dispensary of our own,—a missionary center from which we can work for the poor people of Washington. We believe that the Lord will prompt some one to furnish the means for thus completing our equipment for the training of all-round workers for the foreign fields, and for city mission work at home.

To keep this work going, we must have four groups of nurses in the postgraduate course, a group to enter the hospital every three months. Our winter term begins December 14. There is yet opportunity for graduate nurses of good standing to enter at this time. If interested, write at once to M. E. Kern, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.