10 Amazing Nursing Facts You Need to Know

1. The Origin of the Word “Sisters”

The term “sisters” has its roots in Early Modern Europe, where Catholic nuns provided nursing services. Today, some nuns still act as nurses.

2. A Historical First for Female Flight Attendant

In 1930, a nurse became the first female flight attendant to be hired by United Airlines.

3. The Evolution of Nursery Rhymes

In 2017, a group of five nurses were fired for lying in a body bag. Interestingly, the action was taken a month after the incident happened.

4. The Preference of Colors for Nurses

The colors green and blue reduce eyestrain for nurses in the operating room because they contrast the red color of a patient’s inside. Additionally, the strains can easily hide blood stains, making them the most preferred shades worldwide.

5. A Nursery Host with Cancer

A registered nurse watching the show “Flip or Flop” on HGTV noticed a lump on the host’s neck. She then notified the producers, and upon follow-up, it was discovered that the host had thyroid cancer.

6. Violet Jessop: A Survivor of Three Calamities

Popularly known as “,” Violet Jessop escaped not one but three horrific incidents. In 1911, she survived the Collision of the Olympics. The following year, she made it out of the Titanic, and later on, in 1916, Jessop survived the sinking of the Britannic, which occurred during World War I.

7. The Introduction of Rubber Gloves in Nursing

During the late 1800s, a nurse named Caroline Hampton . Before that, nurses and doctors would operate on patients with their bare hands. Before the breakthrough, Caroline Hampton was on the verge of quitting her job because her hands were severely affected by eczema caused by the numerous applications of disinfectants. Her boss then recommended she wear rubber gloves, and from then on, other nurses and doctors began using them during operations.

8. Edith Cavell: A Heroic Nurse

Edith Cavell was a British nurse who was executed by a firing squad for helping soldiers from different nationalities during World War I. Apart from medical care, she would also help the soldiers escape from the Germans. Because of her heroic acts, Edith has a mountain and a school named after her in Canada.

9. The Ratio of Nurses to Doctors

If you’re observant, you may have noticed that in all medical facilities, the number of nurses is usually more than that of doctors. That is a correct observation because the American Association of Colleges of Nursing documents that the ratio of nurses to doctors is 3:1.

10. Florence Nightingale, The Iconic Nurse

Florence Nightingale is one of the most famous nurses in history. Apart from pioneering this practice, she moved from one bed to another, tending to wounded soldiers during the Cimmerian War. The oil lamp she always carried around eventually became the symbol of nursing.

11. The Transition from Cap to Modern Nursing

Nurses no longer wear caps, as was initially the case, because they are considered unsanitary. They harbor bacteria and viruses that ultimately defeat the practice’s purpose.

12. The Trustworthiness of Nurses

Compared to police officers, firefighters, and teachers, nurses are considered one of the most trustworthy professions. Nurses have been voted the most reliable professionals for 18 years in a row.

13. The Diverse Roles of Nurses

While nurses are predominant in hospitals, they can also be found in other settings. For instance, you can find registered them in elderly homes, government agencies, educational services, and other facilities. Only 60% of registered nurses work in hospitals.

14. The Importance of Self-Care for Nurses

Nurses are well known for being selfless and devoted to ensuring their patients receive the best treatment. But did you know that in Germany, self-care is highly prioritized? Under Provision 5 of the code of ethics, nurses deserve the same level of self-care as other patients. They must also prioritize personal and professional growth on and off duty.

15. The Daily Physical Activity of Nurses

A study done by MEDSBURG Nursing in 2006 on nurses wearing pedometers revealed that within a 12-hour shift. And this is just within the hospital premises. The typical adult walks for 2.5 miles a day. So, nurses cover twice as much.