29 AUGUST 1931, Page 15

NURSES

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The Spectator has been in constant demand among my colleagues this week, for in no other paper have we read such a balanced criticism of the state of the nursing world to-day, and the causes of the shortage of nurses.

Few nurses—were they given the chance—would change their occupation. There is no other profession which is so intensely interesting, so full of opportunities for giving, for learning, and for changing one's outlook on life. Variety there is in plenty, for no two days are alike. Monotony is unknown. Certainly we would welcome better salaries, and shorter hours ; more chances of mixing with the outside world. Opportunities for attending university extension lectures, "Prom." concerts, and other such delightful luxuries are sadly remote. Herein lies Aom for improvement. We are not sorry for ourselves. We love our work. Were an auditor appointed to enquire into our spiritual accounts, he would find we receive far more than we give.—! am, Sir, &c.,