Nursing symbols Nursing pin

mental health pin showing lamp



royal college of nursing



queen alexandra s royal army nursing corps

pins vary in shape , imagery, proportions of woman s brooch (less 10 cm diameter). common graphic old pattern oil lamp. these lamps or candles lighting available before kerosene became available in twentieth century. there selection of lamps in florence nightingale museum, thought have been used in scutari hospital in area known geographically balkans (then british moldavia, southern ukraine), during war russia. american poet henry wadsworth longfellow wrote poem saint philomena dedicated work of florence in 1857. in verses, longfellow characterised florence lady lamp . poem used in fundraising wounded veterans of empire. image of lamp used emerging modern nursing profession took hold.

another common graphic found on nursing pins symbol associate international association of red crescent , red cross, namely red cross itself. in times past, young women adopted profession of nursing accepted nurses, particularly in overseas service roles, such military , mission work, when joined red cross society. volunteers had supply own uniforms, equipment , had undertake charitable works in order raise funds own passage area of identified need. red cross nurses honoured in 1916 song rose of no man s land no means volunteers. nurses drawn organisations ancient order of deaconesses , quaker ambulance units. situation changed during great war, in contribution of nursing war effort recognised in several urgent recruitment drives. nurses granted access postings, commissions , pensions, amateur involvement declined.

another symbol used sword entwined double winged serpents. sword of caduceus mistakenly used united states medical forces in place of wand of asclepius (one serpent without wings on stick), long-standing symbol of medical doctors , physicians.

other common symbols include

stork , baby, legacy torch,
fountain of youth
religious symbols – crucifix, star of david, crescent moon.