Saturday, March 26, 2011

The Patron Saint of Nurses

What imagines come to mind when people think of nurses? It is possible that the images that come to mind involve the color white, illness, doctor, health, and shot. Moreover, the color white is usually associated with goodness, purity, and virginity. This view of the color white seems to make perfect sense because nurses often care for babies. Moreover, it could be the case that nurses are seen as saints because they do heal the sick. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to anyone that there is a patron saint of nurses. In addition, the patron saint of nurses is a woman. Let’s discuss nurses.

The

Nurses are healthcare professionals who, with the help of doctors and other members of a healthcare team are responsible for the treatment, safety, and recovery of acutely or chronically ill patients. Nurses perform a wide range of both clinical and non-clinical functions necessary to the delivery of health. Nurses may also be involved in both medical and nursing research. It might be interesting to note that the crème de la crème of nurses was Florence Nightingale. She is credited with defining both nursing roles and nursing education. Did you know that around the world, nurses have been traditionally female? Yes, this is the case despite the fact that there is equal opportunity legislation; nursing has continued to be a female-dominated profession. It might also be interesting to know that nowadays a nursing shortage in The United Kingdom. The United States, Canada, and other developed countries. Another interesting tidbit about nursing involves the word origin of nurse. The English word nurse also refers to the act of breastfeeding. Did you know that a wet nurse is considered someone who provides her own breast milk to infants? In other languages, the word for nurse comes from the same origin as the word infirmary. This makes complete sense because many nurses work in infirmaries. In addition, given all the above information about nurses, it should come as no surprise that the patron saint of nurses is a woman. Let’s discuss the patron saint of nurses.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Gold Patron Saint Medals

Gold patron saint medals are a traditional piece for Catholics and other Christians to wear, a trend dating back several hundred years. Since the time where humans figured out how to craft gold and other metals into fashionable jewelry pieces and even before that when other materials were utilized in jewelry making, religious icons and jewelry have been together as a normal display of religious affiliation and protection. Some wearers may choose to only wear their patron saint medallion jewelry on a special or religious occasion, while others wear the medal on a daily basis as a sign of affiliation and protection from harm.

Saint Francis Medal

Patron saint medallions come in a variety of materials, such as silver and titanium, but gold has been a long standing tradition in crafting this type of jewelry. Metal content in the jewelry pieces can vary, as well as the color of the gold. Sometimes it is possible to find a pure gold medallion to wear, but more common 10k, 14k, or 18k pieces are offered for consumers to buy. Gold patron saint medals are most commonly worn as a necklace but it is possible to find bracelets and earrings as well.

Patron Saint Locket

The elaboration of detail can depend on the jeweler who crafted the piece, but most gold patron saint medallions are made of yellow gold. More elaborate offerings can feature extreme detail or a mixture of colors of gold or gold mixed with another material to make features of the jewelry stand out. Prices on a piece of gold patron saint medallion jewelry can range widely, depending on the maker, what it is constructed of, and which saint is pictured on it. Prices on a gold patron saint medal range from very cheap to several hundred or more.