Why do nurses kneel at a capping ceremony?

Question

What is the history behing the capping ceremony?

Answer 1

How can you tell the head nurse at the hospital.........The one with the dirty knees

Answer 2

Way back in the day - the nurse was considered one of the most important persons in the medical field. When the doctor would come briefly to see the patient, it was always the nurse who stayed, explained, comforted the patient. The nurse changed the beds, took blood, gave medications, administered whatever was needed - there was no such thing as a 'tech" who did this, and someone different who did that - a parade of people in and out of your room what you don't know. It was comforting to the patient to know the nurse assigned to them. The profession appeared to be more serious and therefore the clothing nurses wore told the world what they did. I remember pictures of my aunt's capping ceremony. It had to be in the 40's or 50's. After completing their nursing term, they earned their caps sometimes one year later. It was a starch white, trimmed in black cap. Their uniforms were starch white, shoes white, must have cotton slips underneath, white undergarments, white hose, and a blue cape which was red satin inside. They received a dozen red roses and their pins and the ceremony of submission was their bowing - to submit to the medical authority to which they were professing - to honor and respect the profession and to uphold the profession in high esteem. Though my aunt has been dead for many years - she was a nurse for 40 years at the same hospital. I still have her cape, cap and pin. I still remember her smelling of Ivory soap. I will always be proud of her. Nothing short of the nurses today, but with all the colorful tops and clothing they wear- in many hospitals, you can't tell the nurse from the housekeeper. No offense - it's just the times. Everything must change.

Answer 3

That's how they get the title "Head Nurse."

Answer 4

out of respect