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Overview
This New Zealand Registered Nurse badge belonged to Caroline Burrows who gained her Certificate of Nursing on 6 April 1940. She served in the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps during the Second World War (1939-40).
The badge is a five-pointed star enclosing a Red Cross. It was designed by Grace Neill (1846-1926) who played a major role in drafting New Zealand’s Nurses Registration Act 1901. She implemented the Act, defined the curriculum and appointed examiners.
The five-pointed star has roots in historical symbolism, particularly related to healing traditions dating back to the ancient Egyptians. Neill chose the five-pointed star because it already carried historical weight related to healing and held symbolic meanings that aligned with the values of the nursing profession.
Historically, the five points had assigned meanings, such as volition, fidelity, and intellect. Since the advent of nursing as a profession, specific nursing actions have also been assigned to the star points such as the hand that is every ready to help.
The white background of the badge stands for the purity expected in the life of a nurse. The blue stands for honour and loyalty; and gold for charity. The badge was designed as a symbol of service in the alleviation of suffering.