I agree with Joann Ashley ("Nursing and Early Feminism," September) that identifying with the feminist cause is a must for nursing. I have been trying to persuade fellow nurses of this, but have not been able to find any books or articles to back up my stand until now.

Being a senior nursing student, I have seen many head nurses, team leaders, and female interns actually give up their seats to doctors, get them cups of coffee, and await breathlessly for their next command, written or spoken.

I sometimes wonder if the TV hospital programs are not right in depicting the nurse's role as being a handmaid to the doctor with nothing to say.

Kathy Rowe

Illinois; February 1976