The Need for Greater Uniformity in Requirements
Ethel Morgan Smith · AJN American Journal of Nursing · 1930
W~THEN Miss Van De Vrede sent me the title of the subject she wished me to present at this time, it seemed to me there was much that could be said, since it is a matter constantly before the secretaries of state boards of examiners. I found, however, in whatever direction I took a step, some obstacle appeared, until finally, from one source only, there seemed to emanate a faint ray of light that some day might lead to a solution. Were it possible for all boards of examiners simply to endorse the examination given in the applicant's home state, requiring, in addition, merely educational, professional and character credentials, it would be a simple thing, but to do this, the type of examinations put up would have to be regulated in some way, and this would be most difficult, if not impossible, while such differences exist in the personnel of the boards of examiners. I have recently seen the examination put up in one state, where twenty questions only were submitted. These covered all subjects and constituted the whole examination. In Virginia (and I think many states have similar rulings), we give 100 questions under ten different headings-10 questions each-and, in addition, give a practical examination to each applicant. There could be nothing fair about requiring this of our own students and accepting, as equivalent, the examination mentioned. It would seem impossible, too, to attain any real uniformity in our