What did you think of Julia's choice to keep her skin condition a secret?

What did you think of Julia's choice to keep her skin condition a secret? Do you think she was right to fear dismissal? What were the consequences of her decision?

Julia loved what she was doing. She was in charge of all the nurses. She kept her skin condition a secret because she was afraid she would be dismissed and sent home. The sores could be judged a liability. As we know the condition became more of a problem and could have endangered her life.

I think Julia's choice to keep her skin condition a secret was understandable. She needed to stay strong and not appear weak in order to maintain her position and role.

Julia was very devoted to duty. She didn't want anything to interfere with that or weaken her chances of remaining on duty. I"m sure it was also somewhat of an embarrassment. People then wouldn't have been as understanding of her condition as they would be now.

I found that her preference to conceal her skin condition was true to her personality. She did not want her skin condition to interfere or result in her being sent home. Most of us do not want to be judged by our insecurities or challenges instead of our accomplishments. I would conceal anything that would not negate my ability to do my job but might result in my being relieved of responsibility because of a perception.

Julia felt she should continue her important role as head nurse, and according to her the skin condition she had for most of her life would not hinder her as a leader or a nurse. Besides, she knew that she might be sent home if her superiors knew about the condition, especially because she was a woman.

I think her decision fits her character. She is a private person, and also a bit insecure. She didn't want anyone questioning her ability to do her job based on something she considered irrelevant to that capacity.

I agree that her decision fits her character. Nursing was all and admitting to any weakness, especially one that would get her sent home, wasn't at all reasonable to her.

I thought that Julia's skin condition was not necessary for the enhancement of the story. I also do not think it was ever adequately described or explained. I think in some ways she was too private of a person.

As many others have said she felt concealment was absolutely necessary to retain her position. I did expect her to trust Nora or lean on Fred for support but realized she would view that as a weakness.

I think it was difficult enough to be a woman in her position without adding something that might make her look weak

It made perfect sense. She was afraid it would eliminate her chances to serve, it could elicit pity from her nurses, and it may make her appear weak. Julia was too stoic to put herself in a precarious position by sharing her struggles. She dealt with them on her own and suffered in silence. It did highlight her fortitude and strength.

Her choice- don’t believe it put any patients at risk medically. Her only responsibility was to care for herself sufficiently so she could care for others.

It was her choice, she was able to care for herself, and the long skirts hid the bandages etc

She had no other choice. Had this been common knowledge she would have been sent back to the states. As far as keeping it from Fred, I think she was worried how he would react and also embarrassed by them. She was able to medically take care of it so it really posed no hardship to anyone but her.

I thought this thread of the story added to our understanding of Julia's personality.