why do we do the lighting of the candles at our graduations

[sundream]

HEY!! I have an issue...I have to give a speech tomorrow over the history of why nurses light candles at graduation....I know it has to do with the whole Florence Nightingale history, but I cant find any resources to look at for my speech. I really don't want to get in front of 500 people and look like an idiot!! Does anybody have any ideas??? I'm not asking you to write the speech for me, I just need help!!

[gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN]

The lighting of the candles is symbolic of FN's carrying of the lantern going from pt to pt. It is said that the pt's were comforted seeing her light. So we light candles to signify that we will also provide comfort and light in a place of darkness for pt's.

[RNKITTY04]

Yeah its all that and we were told "Its passing the light of knowledge" onto others. Congrats and good luck!

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Flo was the "Lady with the Lamp" to the soldiers on the Crimean battlefield. Indeed, she was comforting and her light announced her presence and might have given some hope to the soldiers she tried to help. I don't know that she thought of it that way--probably she just wanted to see where she was going!

I believe that the nursing profession sees her light/lamp as a light in the world, indicating more effective care for people who are ill, than was available before her time.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

from the royal london hospital league of nurses: lamp

the traditional symbolic lamps of nursing are not icons. through custom they represent something else for nurses: emblems of manifestation, compassion and diligent vigilance.

[sundream]

Just a quick follow up, I wrote my speech..and I guess I have to sy I'm satisfied with it

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Good Luck presenting it!