New ANA Flag Premiered at HOD

Arizona Nurse, Jul 2006

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has developed an official flag that made its debut at HOD in June.

The design uses the red flame and lamp to represent ANA, the 54 white stars to represent a constellation of its constituent member associations, and a dark blue field to symbolize the United States of America.

These symbols and colors embody the purpose and history of the ANA: Red stands for mercy, relief of suffering and the valor of nurses. White symbolizes purity and the principels of nursing. Blue represents constancy, justice, loyalty, and devotion. The light and the lamp of nursing are ancient symbols of knowledge and learning that are inclusive and carry no particular symbolism of religion or creed.

The circular arrangement of stars is drawn from the Stars and Stripes created by Betsey Ross in 1777 and visually represents ANA's relationship with its 54 constituent members. ANA represents nurses in every state, the District of Columbia, Guam the Virgin Islands, and uniformed nurses serving in the federal government.

The ANA flag acknowledges the achievement, heroism, and sacrifice of nurses who have served with distinction in every major war, civil disaster, and health crisis faced by the United States. It attests to the importance of equal rights and tha availability of quality care. Nurses have given their full measure to help our soliders and our citizens in times of crisis. This flag honors nurses, past and present, who have served this association, this profession, this country and the international community.