H.—3l

The following tables set out the increased number of occupied beds in the training-schools in comparison to the increase in nursing staffs, also the number of nurses qualifying by means of the State examination as general nurses, maternity nurses, and midwives : — A. Daily Average Occupied Beds for all Training-schools. 31st December, 1932 .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,981-72 31st December, 1933 .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,059-30 31st March, 1935* .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,220-05 31st March, 1936 .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,467-41 31st March, 1937 .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,734-85 31st March, 1938 .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,911-26 31st March, 1939 .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,981-39 * Statistics changed from calendar to financial year. B. Total Nursing Staff for all Training-schools. 1932. 1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. 1937. 1938. Total nursing staff .. 1,769 1,967 2,116 2,264 2,442 2,534 2,710 Total pupil nurses on staff .. 1,257 1,412 1,502 1,640 1,803 1,849 1,985 Total registered nurses on staff 512 555 614 624 639 685 725 C. Total Number of Nurses Sitting and Passing State Examinations. 1932. 1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. 1937. 1938. Number sitting .. .. 385 448 403 354 380 478 455 Number passed .. .. 272 338 280 262 315 366 364 MATERNITY NURSES. Registered Nurses. 1932. 1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. 1937. 1938. Number sitting .. .. 152 158 170 190 195 201 218 Number passed .. .. 143 148 108 180 189 193 207 Unregistered Nurses. 1932. 1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. 1937. 1938. Number sitting .. 35 43 33 34 43 36 46 Number passed .. 30 35 30 33 37 30 44 MIDWIVES. Registered Maternity Nurses who are also Registered Nurses. 1932. 1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. 1937. 1938. Number sitting .. 45 48 53 57 58 55 54 Number passed .. 39 44 47 53 56 54 52 Registered Maternity Nurses who are not Registered Nurses. 1932. 1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. 1937. 1938. Number sitting .. 14 14 18 14 9 19 11 Number passed .. 11 12 13 13 7 17 10 The provision of sufficient well-qualified obstetric 1 nurses willing to practise obstetrics is still difficult. Where hours of work are reasonable and the salaries of the staff adequate public hospital authorities do not have the same difficulty as the private hospitals. This is largely because the conditions generally are better and the nurses' future, in the form of superannuation, is safeguarded: Many authorities have stated that an insufficient number of obstetrical nurses who are not registered nurses are being trained, hence the shortage of supply, as registered nurses do not wish to practise obstetrics. A return was therefore obtained from all obstetric nurses (73 midwives and i 76 maternity nurses) who have been trained during the past five years and who are not registered nurses, and it was found that 45 per cent, were not practising, the majority stating their reason as being because of the conditions of obstetric practice. This is an enormous wastage in such a short period of time, and it is hoped that the new conditions for obstetric nurses under the social security legislation may make this very essential service more attractive. Health of Nursing Staffs. The four-year statistical study inaugurated by the International Council of Nurses has come to a conclusion. Internationally there have been difficulties in regard to arousing co-operation and interest in some countries and in regard to the political situation in others. New Zealand, however, owes the International Council a debt of gratitude for its assistance in this very important study. Our returns have emphasized the urgency of the problem and the need for reforms. Some of these reforms have already been made, but much still remains to be done. The majority of Hospital Boards are very sympathetic and willing to undertake measures which are for the betterment of their staffs. What is needed is more realization amongst the executive officers of the hospitals as to what measures can be recommended to their Boards, and willingness to give the necessary time and study to this question, which is a very important economic factor for all Boards.

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