What Is The Registered Nurse Symbol?
Go to: Previous Article Next Article
In the nursing field the registered nurse symbol is used to display the accomplishment of completing nursing school. It has come to be a symbolic representation of how the nursing profession, and healthcare in general, is a caring and nurturing one for over the last century. The ever present registered nurse symbol in nursing school is displayed in the profession as a whole. But who knows what the registered nurse symbol really is? We do, so keep reading.
The registered nurse symbol, originally known as the Caduceus is a staff that was according to legend carried by the roman god messenger Hermes. This staff was topped with a pair of wings and had two winding serpents around it. It was a symbol of fertility, wisdom, and was also a symbol of the sun gods. Carried by Greek heralds and ambassadors, this staff was meant as a symbol of neutrality pertaining to the Romans.
Since 1902 the Caduceus, or registered nurse symbol, has been the insignia of the U.S. Army's medical branch. Much like any symbol that stands as a representation for things such as commerce, postal or any other government service, this symbol has stood for medicine since the sixteenth century when it replaced the staff of Asclepius, a one serpent symbol, as the image of choice for medicine.
Some people see the registered nurse symbol or Caduceus as a negative symbol for the profession, but even still, it's a positive symbol of caring for those of us in the profession. No matter what the registered nurse symbol might seem like to others, to the common public it still remains a image from the nursing and medical fields in general, and consequently stands as a positive symbolic representation for them and a sense of comfort. This goes on to give the public a comforting feeling as they know how it is linked to healthcare in general. We nurses don't look at it and think of the negative connotations associated with it from ancient mythology, we regard it as being a image of pride.
A lot of medical organizations use the Caduceus, or registered nurse symbol, of two winding serpents around a staff, topped by two wings, which is the staff carried by the Greek god messenger Hermes. This symbol was the protector of merchants and thieves, and conductor of the dead. Its meaning is 'heralds staff' from the Greek word karykeion. Itself based on the word 'eruko' meaning control or restrain.
The registered nurse symbol or caduceus is used by other types of organizations, these are generally commercial or military in the U.S. Countries like New Zealand uses include pharmaceutical companies. A study confirmed that the connection of the caduceus and medicine was solidified around the 7th century A.D. This was around the time Hermes had come to be associated with the study of alchemy. Alchemists were referred to as sons of Hermes, or hermeticists. Cult associations can be found linked to the registered nurse symbol otherwise known as the caduceus.
The magic staff of Mercury, otherwise known as Hermes, was the Caduceus. The words caducity & caduceus imply temporality, perishable and senility, while the medical profession espouses renewal, vitality and health. That's what the registered nurse symbol stands for today.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
- Credit Cards A big selection of Cards in all flavors: Bad Credit Cards, Secured Cards, Prepaid Cards, Credit Cards for Canada, Low Interest Cards, etc -
Word Count: 554
Reduce Your Debts Without Bankruptcy. See How Much You Can Save. Free Debt Analysis
