Nursing Life and Discipline
- Author:
Sheila M. Bevington,
?_ O- To C.A Ph.D.(Econ.). H. K. Lewis & Co. 7s. 6d.
This book is the record of an investigation into the conditions of nursing and of nursing administration made in a number of hospitals, where we are told about 60 per cent, of nurses of all grades were interviewed, a total of about 500 in all. Though there were marked differences in the hospitals, Dr Bevington admits that the mere fact that she was permitted to make such an investigation indicates that all of them were to some extent ” progressive “.
Many aspects of the nurse’s life are considered, such as feeding, health, life in the Nurses Home, hours of work and systems of training both in ward and lecture room, and although full weight is given to adminis- trative difficulties, practical measures for reform are freely advocated. Probationers’ difficulties are explored, particularly those inherent in the double role of employee and student. ” The pressure under which the majority (of ward sisters) now work ” is fully appreciated and ” optional non-residence” as a contribution to its relief is advocated, while two chapters are devoted to the need for the nurse’s training in dealing with dis- ciplinary matters and “in the art of constructive criticism “.
The Lancet Report, 1932 and the Interim Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee are referred to fully. Dr Bevington is a well qualified and trained investiga- tor and has dealt with the problem in an unbiased and constructive way. Comparisons have been made between nursing and school and prison discipline. The cultural and social needs of the nurse in training are shown to be inadequately met, but the findings ” mainly stress the need for thoroughly reviewing the basis of staff relations and discipline and for re- invigorating ward training “.
Such a book, short and to the point, should be read and considered both by nurses, who may then more fully understand their own difficulties, and by all those responsible in any way for nursing life and discipline since, as the author points out, ” at its best, it affords such an opportunity for all round development as few other trainings can offer “. W.J.T.K.
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