Never gossip about your sister nurses; of the stupidity of one,
the untidiness of another, or the overbearing nature of the third.
It can do no good, and it lowers you in the estimation of every
one who hears you talk.

As for your duties to each other, I would have you always observe
the same punctilious etiquette outside that you do in the
hospital. When you are called to assist another nurse, remember
that _she_ is the head nurse; the case is hers. She gives
directions, and you follow them; be sure you do it faithfully. If
you have some one to assist _you_, be sure you arrange for
her rest and exercise, and that you leave intelligently written
orders when you go for your own rest.

Some very awkward complications may arise where there are two
nurses, and the worst, I think, is for the patient and family to
like the second nurse better than the first one, and to criticise
her and find fault with her to the other nurse. This is hard all
around. The second nurse expects the first one to be preferred,
and usually dislikes to go to such a case, for that very reason;
but if any of you find that under such circumstances you are
preferred, never allow the people to retail to you the faults of
the other nurse, and never gossip about her. She may not suit
them, but she is probably doing the best she can, and such idle
talk can do no good. If they _will_ talk, make all the excuses
for her you can, and never let her suspect from any action
of yours, that you are preferred above her. If, on the other hand,
you are the first nurse and some second one is called in, and
preferred before you, study her well. See how it is that she wins
the patient's confidence, when you did not. Try to find out, in a