title: The nursing pin: symbol of 1,000 years of service.
abstract: The nursing pin is a 1,000-year old symbol of service to others. The earliest ancestor of the pin dates back to the Maltese Cross, adopted by crusaders and worn on their habits as a symbol of service to Christianity. Over the centuries, variations of the crusader's symbol were gradually modified and became family coats of arms, often symbolizing service to a ruler. By the Renaissance, guilds had adopted coats of arms symbolizing masterful service to the community. The most recent ancestor of the pin is the hospital badge of 100 years ago. It was given by the hospital school of nursing to the students to identify them as nurses who were educated to serve the health needs of society. This symbol of service involves many professional rights and responsibilities.
authors.affiliation: University of Evansville, IN.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Rode
mesh_terms: D004616:Emblems and Insignia / Q000266:history*; D004739:England; D005060:Europe; D006676:History of Nursing; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049691:History, Medieval; D014481:United States