Page:The Girl Who Earns Her Own Living (1909).djvu/56

 ment and vigilance of the trained nurse mean as much in the sick-room as the prescriptions of the physician; therefore the trained nurse has dropped the halo for the mortar-board. Gradually she is finding her level in the professional world.

Asa result, while fewer girls pass the examinations for entering training-schools, those who do pass find themselves in a goodly company of real students, not emotional enthusiasts.

First: "What girls are suited to do the work, and therefore desired by superintendents of training-schools?"

The young women who are physically and nervously strong, and who are immaculately neat about their persons.

The girl who has weak sight, who is slightly deaf, who suffers from chronic throat trouble or catarrh or sick headaches or backaches should never consider this profession. Even if she manages to squeeze through her physical examination she will never pass muster during her term of probation. Physical defects must be cured, not alleviated, before an applicant—presents herself at any training-school. Canadian and Californian girls pass excellent, physical examinations.

Mentally, you should be equipped with a high school education, or its equivalent. A broader education is an advantage but not an essential.