1 83, PALL MALL,
LONDON, S.W. 30th December, 1915. Dear Sir, During my past year's work as Chairman of the Joint
War Committee of the British Red Cross Society and Order of
St. John I have been struck by the total lack of organization
amongst the various authorities responsible for the training
of Nurses and by the need for organization amongst the Nurses
themselves. Occupying a neutral position in relation to
these pressing problems I have given much time and attention
to considering how, in the interests of the Public and of the
Nurses themselves, the present unsatisfactory condition of
affairs may be remedied. For something like 25 years there has been more or
less active agitation in favour of the Registration of
Trained Nurses, but for causes into which it is unnecessary
here to enter, this movement and others of a similar nature
have hitherto failed to attain the object sought. There is no unanimous feeling either amongst those
responsible for the training of Nurses or amongst Nurses
themselves in favour of any system of State Registration.
Nevertheless I am convinced that something should be done at
once to co—ordinate the various interests involved, and,
without prejudice to ultimate developments whether by
legislation or otherwise, my own view is that for the time at
least we must rely upon a voluntary scheme of co—operation
amongst the Nurse Training Schools throughout the country. I have confidence that a representative Association
would speedily attract so much support from the nursing
profession as to lend great weight and authority to any
decisions at which it might arrive. Just as the Royal Colleges of Physicians and
Surgeons through the Conjoint Board organize the teaching and
examination of medical students, as the Chartered Institutes
of Accountants, of Surveyors, Engineers, and other bodies, as
Barristers and Solicitors organize the teaching and examining
of candidates for entrance to their respective professions so
do I feel most strongly that now is the right time for some
such movement in the Nursing profession. 2 With this end in view it is suggested that a College
of Nursing shall be founded. This College shall be a purely
voluntary body which will aim at securing the support and
sympathy of the Governors of Hospitals to which Nurse Training
Schools are attached, of the leading members of the medical
profession, of the Matrons and Lecturers at these Nurse
Training Schools, and last but not least of the Trained
Nurses themselves. I suggest that Promoters of the College should be
sought amongst the Chairman and Governors of leading Hospitals,
Physicians and Surgeons lecturing to Nurses, the Principals
of Nurse Training Schools and of Nursing Associations, and
other persons interested in the education of Women, and I
hope your Hospital may be willing in due time to nominate
representatives to act in this capacity. The Promoters,
having obtained the sanction of the Board of Trade to the
registration of the College with its Memorandom and Articles
of Association, should appoint the first Council of Management,
two—thirds of whom should be Matrons of Hospitals or Superin—
tendents of Nursing. For effective administration it is
essential that the Council of Management should be relatively
small in numbers, but in order to secure a proper representa—
tion of all interests it is proposed that the Council should
form a large Consultative Board drawn from all classes of Nurse
Training Schools and Nursing Associations, and from Nurses in
practice throughout the Country. Further it is suggested that
the Council should always invite and receive a report from the
Consultative Board before coming to a determination either
upon courses of study and technical training for persons
intended for the nursing profession or upon the conditions
under which recognition may be extended to Nursing Schools.
The Council should also form an Examination Board, which will
advise upon the appointment of Examiners, the Scheme for
Examinations, and the acceptance under safeguards of internal
examinations in recognised Training Schools to qualify for the
Certificate of Proficiency in Nursing to be granted by the
College. In addition to examining and giving qualifications
to Nurses, the College should take power to exercise similar
functions in all branches of Women's work connected with
Hospitals, whether naval, military or civil, and to give
certificates of proficiency to those who pass the necessary
examinations. Such are the broad outlines of the Scheme, and I
should be glad to know whether they meet with the general
approval of your Hospital Committee. lt is put forward with
the idea of securing greater uniformity of training and
curriculum for Nurses, fuller co—operation between the
Nursing Schools, and the better organization of the Nursing
Profession generally. I shall be glad to submit to the
advisers who have already helped me any criticism you may 3 be pleased to make. I have reason to hope that, should
these proposals meet with sympathetic support, I may be able
to secure financial assistance to launch the College in a
suitable building, but before asking the Board of Trade's
approval to omit the word "Limited" from the title of the
Association I must be assured of a substantial backing
throughout the country. When this step is gained, I shall
have the pleasure of asking your Committee to nominate your
representatives to take part in the establishment and
development of the College, which may I hope, promote the
welfare of Trained Nurses and of all other Women engaged in
attendance upon the Sick and Wounded, and may thus do
lasting service to our Nation and Country. Yours faithfully, A Stanley
Chairman, Joint War Committee.
British Red Cross Society and Order
of St. John. 4 Letter from Mr Stanley December 30, 1915
re proposed College