Whilst out on a country drive this weekend, Kelly, Smudge and I stopped of at this cool coffee shop. The walls were covered by bookshelves containing hundreds of old hardcover books. As I slouched back and ran my eyes across the corrugations of dusty spines, the following title sprang forth: MODERN PRACTICAL NURSING PROCEDURES, published in 1944.

Hmmm, I wonder how the modern nursing procedures of 1944 cut it. Whilst we waited for our coffees, I opened the book at Chapter 2…..

Chapter 2. Advice to Student Nurses.

Something more than elaborate furnishings, modern fittings and equipment is needed to make an efficient hospital. The harmonious and restful atmosphere of the wards, and the quality of the care and attention received therein, are the essentials of success and the means of satisfaction.

The patient comes to you in simple faith- offer him sympathy, respect his confidence, inspire him with courage, hope and a feeling of security.
From the moment of his arrival, to the time of his departure. Show by your example that each and all are co-operating for the sole purpose of curing his illness, alleviating his suffering, and ministering to his needs and comfort. Let him feel that you are assisting him to return to his place in the community as quickly as possible.

A nurses first obligation is to care for and tend the sick, and in a modern training school, this must not be sacrificed by non-technical duties and academic work. A nurse who cannot care and tend the sick capably is a failure.

Observation must be developed – the nurse must learn what to see and the significance of what she sees. The quality of observation must be developed from the first day in hospital.

Truthfulness, accuracy and reliability – reports must be accurate and complete, and, at the same time, helpful. Nurse must be neither an alarmist nor a cypher.

Deportment: A good carriage and demeanor inspires confidence in others, and gives the nurse herself a feeling of alertness, and of mental and physical well-being.
Always she should stand on both feet, head erect, shoulders back, and she should cultivate the habit of giving full attention when engaged in conversation with patients, visitors or the staff.

Serenity: A considerable amount of research has been done on the deleterious effect of noise on the individual.
It behoves the nurse to create a quiet and harmonious atmosphere in her surroundings, and to eliminate all such noises as banging and creaking doors, dripping taps, rattling windows and blinds, clinking china and equipment and noisy speech.
When off duty it is expected that nurses will be reasonably quiet in their gaiety.

The spiritual relationship between a nurse and the patient, can in many cases be very important. There are many people who in the enjoyment of normal health are not greatly concerned about religious matters. In times of illness however, or with the shadow of death touching them, they feel the need of spiritual consolation.
If a nurse has an intelligent deeply based faith, it not only gives to her personally, serenity of mind and spiritual reinforcement, but unconsciously she imparts something of the same quiet strength, and hope, to those whom she is seeking to help.

Cleanliness: It has been said that cleanliness in nursing is a professional obligation. A nurse must not only be fastidiously clean, but be honorable in her cleanliness in dealing with patients and their belongings, and in her work generally.

The care of a nurses own hands is of utmost importance, for not only may she convey infection via her hands from herself to others and from patients to herself, but from one patient to another with perhaps grave results.

Sympathy, tact and understanding of patients and their relatives, and at the same time, a gracious dignity and decision in emergency are essential.