I READ with interest the letters relating to nurses and would like to comment. To me nursing was a vocation and as I entered my probationary period in 1943, I was happily prepared for all the menial jobs which have been described.

We were called each day at 5.50am in the nurses home in which we were compelled to live and after breakfast, on the wards at 7.30am.

We worked all day with two hours off duty during which we often attended lectures, until we went off duty, sometimes as late as 8.30pm or 9pm. We worked six days a week with one day off and this applied to night duty as well.

If there was a lecture on our day off, we were expected to attend. The discipline was very strict, but we did not grumble and at the end of the calendar month the salary was £2 12s 6d (£2.62p), which increased accordingly each year.

There were two very important exams in the three years training: Preliminary State and, on completion, the Final State, for which we received the title SRN, a number on the State Registered Roll, which was engraved with our name on the silver badge, given to each successful nurse. We had one Matron, one deputy Matron and, in later years, a third assistant and the hopitals ran smoothly and efficiently.

Today, there are so many managers in different departments of each hopsital -- ward aids on each ward and the Sister of the ward is bogged down by paperwork. I wonder why this is necessary?

Modern technology is wonderful: disposable bedpans, electronic thermometers, piped oxygen, sterile packs for dressings, which makes light work and many other wonderful things, not mentioning patient recovery after open-heart surgery, kidney transplant and many many more things I could mention.

I have been retired 15 years. I was dedicated to my profession and money didn't enter into it. I always felt well paid for the service I willingly gave.

Retired Nursing Sister (Name and address received)

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