History of the NZ Registered Nurses Medal
The NZRN five pointed star medal dates back to when New Zealand first introduced the Nurses' Registration Act on 12 September 1901, being the first country in the world to legally require nurses to be registered.
All
nurses who train and qualify for Nursing Registration in New
Zealand are awarded with the NZRN medal. It is worn with
honour, distinction and pride and the deep meaning and history
behind it is held close to many Kiwi Nurses hearts. The medal
has always been a great way to pick out the Kiwi Nurses when
working abroad too!
Designed by Mrs Grace Neill, the appointed assistant inspector
of hospitals in New Zealand in 1895. Mrs Neill was successful
in having the State Registration for Nurses Act passed.
The star encloses a Red Cross as an emblem of the blood and the
Cross of Christ. The white background stands for the purity
expected in the life of a nurse; blue stands for honour and
loyalty, and gold for charity. The Medal was designed as a
symbol of service in the alleviation of suffering.
Nurses who qualified for registration received the Five Pointed
Star badge (sometimes referred to as the NZ Registered Nurses'
Medal). Originally, to register nurses had to be 23 years of
age and have had three years' training as a nurse in a hospital,
including training in theory and practise and to sit a State
Examination. On passing the examination and upon payment
of one pound the nurses received a certificate and a badge
inscribed with their name and the date of registration.
Mrs J.J. McNab and Mrs G.M. Sides of Timaru designed "The
Creed" below, outlining the meaning behind the NZRN medal.
The Five Pointed Star
The Hand
That my hand shall ever extend to help, comfort and relieve the
sick and suffering.
The Foot
That my feet shall not falter, loiter nor linger, when journeying
to alleviate the suffering of the sick.
The Knee
That my knee shall bow to the Almighty Creator in asking for
guidance and aid in my endeavour to relieve the suffering of the
sick.
The Breast
That my breast shall be a safe and sacred repository for any secret
entrusted to me or divulged through sickness or delirium or
otherwise obtained.
The Head
That I will constantly pursue and study the secret arts; that I
will exercise my knowledge to the benefit of those suffering bodily
or mental distress, and will disseminate such knowledge amongst
others as my preceptors authorise and direct.<br/>
Sources
New Zealand Nurses
Organisation
Auckland Museum. Collection
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira, presented by James
Watt, 2006.4.5.
The Creed, as on the New Zealand
Nurses Organisation website