how little money nurses-in-training
have been able to manage. Some hospitals do not give their
nurses-in-training any money and require that the nurse should pay
a sum for her instruction. It is usual for these hospitals to provide
nurses-in-training with uniforms, caps, and aprons.

Most training schools require from applicants an educational standard of
four years in a high school or matriculation status. Young women who are
college graduates may take the training of a nurse after they leave the
university. The business girl or the girl in any other occupation who
means to be a nurse and who has left school before reaching the necessary
standard can prepare for her training by attending evening classes or
studying by herself or with a friend.

The intending nurse should choose with great care the hospital in which
she means to train. The standing of the hospital will have a marked
influence onher career as a nurse. Some hospitals are justly famous for
the excellent training which they give. The usual length of time required
is three years. A number of hospitals, however, have courses of two years.

The time of probation lasts three, four, or six months. During this time
the probationer will be tested for endurance, neatness, earnestness, and
ability. No probationer who is untidy or who is wanting in personal
cleanliness is accepted in a training school. The professional appearance
of the nurse is essential to her success. Few women are more attractive
in appearance than a nurse in uniform.

Nurses-in-training live in a nurses' home which is one of the hospital
buildings. In these buildings the nurse will spend by far the greater part
of her time for two or three years. The hospital is a world in itself, and
the nurse will have few interests outside its walls. Most nurses regard
their years of training as a time of growth and wonderful experience, and
the average nurse is very happy during this time, although a great deal of
the work is not pleasant and almost all of it is hard. The nurse learns
that work of any kind may come within her province. She will have to do
anything which helps toward the recovery of her patients or contributes
to their comfort. Some of her experiences will teach her resolution and
bravery. Speaking of such experiences a nurse once said: "As long as you
can do anything to help, you can manage. It is the being able to help
that matters." The life of the nurse-in-training is regular, and the