Practical hints on district nursing / by Amy Hughes.

  • Hughes, Amy.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Practical hints on district nursing / by Amy Hughes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    45/120 (page 33)
    and even diphtheria have resulted amongst dis- trict nurses in consequence of disregarding this rule. Afternoon Rest. After five hours' continuous work the nurse should rest for two hours in the afternoon, and this should be really rest, not merely change of activity, though of course reading need not be excluded. Evening Round. The evening round usually begins from 4*30 to 5 P.M. after tea, and then the worst cases should be visited as late as possible to make them comfortable for the night. In very serious cases a visit is generally necessary after supper, between 9 and 10 P.M., in addition to the earlier one. No temperature should be taken nor poultices changed before 5 P.M. The nurse is usually free from 7*30 to 8 P.M. These hours of work necessarily vary, but no nurses, especially those living alone, or with one other worker, should let zeal outrun discretion. Overwork only means eventual curtailment of usefulness ; the constant strain of attempting too much re- acts upon mind and body, destroying the patience and cheerfulness so essential to success, and often causing a regular breakdown and en- forced rest for much longer than the nurse desires.