Monday, 11 April 2016

Poem ~ Nurse Training Scheme - Tuesday, 11 April 1916

Impression sketch of Sir Arthur Stanley and Sarah Swift - by Jamie. From original images that can be seen at: <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sir_Arthur_Stanley.jpg> and <https://www.rcn.org.uk/centenary> [Accessed: 11 April 2016]

With ongoing war without
Any sign of ending, a great
Need continued for nurses
To care for wounded soldiers.

As early as 1886 had been
Call for state registration
Of nurses but the proposal
Had been suspended in 1914.

An obvious growing need
For structured nurse training,
Was taken on by Red Cross'
Sarah Swift and MP A. Stanley.

Support of Arthur Stanley
Came from his volunteer
Work of health and disability;
As Chairman of the Red Cross.

Nurse training so far, had varied
Between programs in volunteer
Hospitals over 3 years - or hasty
Training in mental hospitals.

Two institutions they looked to
Were medical royal colleges;
Together, these models drew
A proposal for future meetings.

Despite various objections, an
Initial meetings success meant
No others were needed - diplomat
Stanley overcame all challenges.

Came significant date, 27 March
1916, to consolidate the college
Of Nursing Ltd - a meeting sat
At St Thomas Hospital London.

Objective, to discuss constitution
Of newly formed nursing college;
To bring hospital governing bodies
And matrons from across the country.

With Chairman Arthur Stanley
MP, announcing scheme, came
From needs of standardisation
For qualifications in the profession.

Matron Sarah Swift, of Joint war
Committee, with Stanley as their
Chairman - looked to already well
Established bodies of medical training.

Alongside the Royal College of
Physicians and Surgeons, time
Had come for College of Nurses -
Which, in time, may gain a royal title.

At its heart were three principles;
State recognition, uniformed
Curriculum of training alongside an
Established standard entrance exams.

Mr Stanley advised there would
Be no finance issues - a public
Keen to help soldiers and sailors,
Would not fail this nursing profession.

Regarding state registration
Of nurses Bill, Mr Stanley felt
Not to wait till wars end, when
Public interest would move away.

Nursing needs were current
In public's minds; after conflicts
End nurses, with their knowledge,
Would return with a power to harness.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1916. A College Of Nursing. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 8 April 1916. P.12. Col.5. Available at: <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12208608/Daily-Telegraph-April-8-1916.html>  [Accessed: 10 April 2016].

Mann, J., 2016. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 10 April 2016). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1London

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