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formulating of the program the counsel of recognized professional organizations such as the American Nurses' Association be obtained. It is further recommended that wherever possible an affiliation in a tuberculosis hospital be offered the practical nurse as part of her basic training and that post-graduate courses in tuberculosis care be offered to licensed practical nurses.

STATEMENT BY NATIONAL FEDERATION OF LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES

The National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, au organization of licensed practical nurses, with over 22,425 members in 36 constituent State and Territorial associations, submits this statement in support of title III, Practical Nurse Training, S. 886, and wishes to make the following comments on this title 3 and on S. 929, to provide for aid to the States in the fields of practical nursing and auxiliary nursing services.

Great strides have been made in practical nursing and in practical-nurse education under previous legislation which permitted State vocational and education departments to enter this field. Although the number of training schools for practical nurses has increased and more graduate practical nurses are in the field than ever before, practical-nurse resources are not nearly sufficient to meet the increasing demands for their services. In order for practical nurses to make a just contribution to the health program, in the improvement of the care of the sick throughout the Nation, it is vitally necessary that they be prepared to make this contribution.

It is a proper function of the vocational and education department's adult education program to prepare practical nurses through a sound educational program and also to provide the necessary extension courses that will enable the practicing practical nurses now in the field and who are licensed by waiver to improve their nursing knowledge and skill to the end that better and safer nursing care be provided the sick of our Nation.

It is our opinion and in the best interests of our programs for legislation to specifically provide for qualified professional nurse direction and it should also be so stated in the law on both Federal and State levels. To further safeguard the public and the practical nurse student when plans are submitted to the Federal Government by the States, they should also provide that the education programs shall meet the States licensing requirements.

The National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses is in full accord with title 3 of S. 886 and S. 929, as far as it provides for aid to the States in the field of practical nursing.

It does not support the provisions in S. 929 for training of auxiliary hospital personnel. It is our belief that the on-the-job training of hospital personnel is the responsibility of the hospital and that the present on going program of the American Hospital Association, the National League for Nursing, and the Public Health Service gives adequate support to this activity.

We see no reason for additional Federal funds for this program but strongly feel that Federal funds should be utilized to a greater degree for practical-nurse education for which standards have been developed and licensure established. We urge that funds be provided through Federal legislation to provide the necessary extension courses for the practicing practical nurses now in the field so that they may be better prepared to carry out the nursing duties which are required in todays expanding health services.

The National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, requests that this statement be considered by the committee in its deliberations on legislation relating to the practical nurse, and that it be included in the report of the present hearings.

Hon. LISTER HILL,

THE TRAINING CLASS OF PRACTICAL NURSING,
GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS,
Greenville, S. C., April 26, 1955.

Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. HILL: After having been an instructor of practical nurses in the Greenville County schools since 1951, I have been thoroughly convinced that these programs given by the public schools in the vocational department have proven to be very beneficial in educating the public toward better health practices as well as in helping to relieve the shortages of nurses for caring for the ill.

To my surprise, the age group who enroll in this course have no difficulty in making a satisfactory adjustment to hospital routine. They are willing workers and are eager and enthusiastic to learn everything about bedside nursing. It is a pleasure and inspiration to work with them.

Our handicap here in Greenville is that we do not have sufficient teaching personnel and facilities to meet the needs. Thus one instructor has to do the teaching, supervision, secretarial work, and direct the entire program. We are able to take only one class each year, a condition which does not give a wellbalanced program for the hospitals in which the students get their clinical experience.

With passage of your bill, the schools would be able to expand to meet the needs of the community. I feel the passage of bill S. 929 will mean much to our Nation's health program, one of our first lines of defense.

Yours respectfully,

Hon. LISTER HILL,

HUKATE T. ELWOOD, R. N.,
Coordinator and Instructor.

AMERICAN PUBLIC WELFARE ASSOCIATION,
Washington, April 13, 1955.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare,

Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR SENATOR HILL: The American Public Welfare Association wishes to express its support of Federal legislation which would expand the program of Federal aid to vocational schools for the purpose of providing training in practical nursing. We have a twofold interest in this subject.

The American Public Welfare Association is a nonpartisan organization composed of (1) State and local departments of public welfare, (2) individuals engaged in public welfare at all levels of government, and (3) persons outside government who are interested in public welfare.

Our members are in close contact, throughout the Nation, with aged and disabled persons needing the kind of care which trained practical nurses are able to give both in the recipients' own homes and in public and private institutions for the chronically ill and infirm.

Under the Social Security Act, as amended, in title I, section 2 (a), State oldage assistance plans, and under title XIV, section 1402 (a) (11), State aid to the permanently and totally disabled plans, must "*** effective July 1, 1953, provide, if the plan includes payments to individuals in public or private institutions, for the establishment or designation of a State authority or authorities which shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining standards for such institutions." Therefore a shortage of qualified practical nurses impedes operation of institutions providing for the aged and chronically ill and slows down the improvement of standards of care in those institutions.

Expanding the programs for training practical nurses would increase employment opportunities for many older women with no vocational training or work experience. Now, in their late forties or early fifties, with their children grown, they could profit from proper training, enter the labor market, and become selfsupporting and economically productive. This would ease the strain on both State and local departments of public welfare.

For these reasons we see advantages accruing to several groups of people from passage of Federal legislation which would expand the program of Federal aid to vocational schools in order to provide training in the field of practical nursing.

We hope these comments will be helpful to you in considering this program and that you will include them in the record of your hearings.

Sincerely yours,

(Mrs.) MARIE D. LANE, Washington Representative.

CENTRAL OREGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE,
Bend, Oreg., April 19, 1955.

Hon. WAYNE MORSE,

Hon. RICHARD NEUBERGER,

United States Senate, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SENATORS: It has been called to my attention that Senate bill No. 929 is concerned with the provision of funds to be used in the area of vocational practical nursing.

It is my understanding that the Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee will be holding a hearing on this bill in the near future and I would appreciate your making this communication available to the chairman of that committee. We have been operating a practical nurse training program in Central Oregon College in cooperation with the State vocational division, and have been receiving a 50-percent reimbursement on this program. I would like to say that the program is considered a very important one in central Oregon. There is a definite need in the area for practical nurses, not only for hospitals, but also for nursing homes, private nursing, and doctors' offices.

Our first class of 14, who graduated last February, are all currently employed. The three area hospitals in Prineville, Redmond, and Bend, who are cooperating in providing laboratory experience for our students, are quite enthusiastic about the program. The present fund provides an opportunity for those women and girls who, for reasons of finance or family ties, would not be able to go outside of the central Oregon community for educational opportunities in this line. The schools of practical nursing are able to take certain individuals who might not be quite qualified for the professional-nurse program and make of them excellent bedside nurses.

To sum up my remarks: We are very enthusiastic about the program, feel there is a definite shortage of practical nurses and a distinct advantage to the economy and the type of medical care available in this area that would not be possible without this program.

I urge your consideration of any requests that might further develop this very worthy and much needed area of practical nursing.

Sincerely yours,

DON P. PENCE, Director. LANSING, MICH., May 5, 1955.

CHAIRMAN, SENATE LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE COMMITTEE,
Senate Offices, Washington, D. C.:

The committee on legislation and education and the board of directors of the Michigan Practical Nurses Association wish to go on record as endorsing Senate bill No. 929. Additional comments to be mailed on specific details of bill. May we have information on status of bill at this time?

MARGARET COTSIKAS,

Executive Secretary, Michigan Practical Nurses Association.

CHARLOTTE 7, N. C., August 11, 1954.

Hon. SAM J. ERVIN,

Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SENATOR ERVIN: It is my understanding that hearings will be held in the near future by the Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee on Senate bill 929, a bill to provide for aid to the States in the fields of practical nursing and auxiliary hospital personnel services.

I have had the opportunity and the pleasure of working with hospitals throughout North and South Carolina for the past 26 years and it seems to me that one of the greatest needs at the present time is the training of more practical nurses and auxiliary hospital personnel in order to supply the distinct shortage of this type of personnel in the hospital field.

Will you please bring this letter to the attention of the chairman of the committee in charge of this legislation and also I shall appreciate your support of this bill if it comes to a vote on the floor.

Sincerely yours,

GEORGE P. HARRIS.

Senator J. STROM THURMOND,

COLUMBIA HOSPITAL OF RICHLAND COUNTY,
Columbia, S. C., April 8, 1955.

Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SENATOR THURMOND: I have been advised today that on April 14 the Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee will hold a hearing on Senate bill 929. This bill concerns aid to the respective State departments of education to help with the courses for training practical nurses and auxiliary type persons. The Columbia Hospital, in cooperation with the vocational division of the Columbia city schools, started a course for training practical nurses almost 3 years ago, and it is gradually increasing in its size and the graduates are rendering very valuable service, not only in our particular hospital but in the other places where they are employed. We run this school in addition to our professional school of nursing, and we feel that there is a definite place for practical nurses in the health field. This school is run as a public service at hospital expense with the exception of a small amount that the city schools can pay toward the cost of one instructor, and I understand that the new bill would provide additional funds to help finance such training programs.

As the funds will be controlled through our own State board of education, I would like very much to endorse this bill and would greatly appreciate if you could have my letter shown to the chairman of this particular committee and solicit his support.

Thanking you in advance for any help you might render us, I remain,
Respectfully yours,

J. M. DANIEL, Superintendent.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
Tampa 1, Fla., May 6, 1955.

Hon. GEORGE SMATHERS,

United States Senate, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SENATOR SMATHERS: I understand that hearings have been held by the Labor and Public Welfare Committee on S. 929, a bill which authorizes Federal aid to States to promote the development of practical-nurse training. I should like to express my opinion as being in favor of such legislation.

Here in Hillsborough County we were fortunate enough 3 years ago to receive aid from the Kellogg Foundation amounting to approximately $5,000 for the purpose of setting up a practical-nurses' training program in this county. This program has been in operation for 3 years in cooperation with the St. Joseph's Hospital of this city and this year is being expanded to include the Tampa Municipal Hospital.

We feel that this program of training practical nurses has been a wonderful asset to this county. We have trained some 58 people who have gone to work both in hospitals and on private duty and we feel that they have done much in assisting in caring for the sick. A shortage of people in this field has been acute and many people needing nursing care could not get it. In addition to satisfying this need, this program has opened up a field of work to people who are interested in it which was not available before. In addition to the 58 graduates mentioned above, we now have 27 who will graduate next month.

The law in question may or may not be a benefit to us since we have already a program in operation, but I should like to urge that serious consideration be given to supporting a bill which would enable other counties in all parts of the country to have the same opportunity we have had.

Sincerely yours,

D. G. ERWIN,

Director, Trade and Industrial, Adult and Veteran Education. (Whereupon, at 12: 20 p. m. the subcommittee adjourned subject to call of the Chair.)

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