Art and Handcraft in the Woman's Building
of the World's Columbian Exposition

IN THE WOMAN’S BUILDING. 211 during this century. Twenty years ago, nursing as a profession for woman was practically unrecognized. Very few, except those who were unable to obtain any other means of livelihood, could be induced to undertake it. So pressing had the need become that a suggestion was made by some eminent authorities to meet it by training the numerous able-bodied women in work-houses as nurses for the sick. This plan, though never carried into effect, was use- ful in opening up the way for other and more practical schemes, and to-day we see women of all classes anxious to enroll themselves in the band of trained workers. Many of course are possessed of very indifferent qualifications. At present there is no uniformity of training in Great Britain, more especially with regard to the length of time which must elapse before a nurse can be certificated as fully trained. There is nothing to hinder any woman from putting on a uniform after a few months’ sojourn in a hospital or infirmary, and calling herself a trained nurse. To protect the public against untrustworthy persons of this type, an association was formed about five years ago, with Her Royal Highness Princess Christian at its head, called the Royal British Nurses’ Association, which under- takes to register all nurses who have undergone three years’ instruc- tion in the practice and theory of nursing in a recognized institu- tion. Thus, at a moment’s glance, any one can satisfy themselves as to the qualifications of the nurse they wish to employ. The registration board not only inquires into the educational process through which a nurse has passed, but is the result of a most care- ful and painstaking scrutiny into her character and antecedents as well. There is no doubt that under the ægis of a royal charter it will exercise a powerful influence of an educational nature on professional and public opinion, and thus prepare the way for those further advances in the organization and training of nurses which, it is the main object of the association to promote. Mrs. Bedford-Fenwick.