Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale, the inspiration and guiding force behind the nursing profession of today, was born in Italy on May 12th., 1820. She was the daughter of a wealthy English landowner, William Nightingale. She spent most of her early years in Derbyshire, England. Having no sons, Florence's father treated her as his friend and companion and gave her an excellent, thorough classical education.

From 1837 to 1839, Florence and her parents travelled in Europe, where she witnessed many incidences of poverty, sickness and suffering. During this period, she became interested in nursing and insisted on visiting hospitals whenever she could, as the family continued its travels.

After returning home, Florence refused the attentions of several suitors. At age 25, she informed her parents she wanted to become a nurse. They were completely opposed to her plan because, at that time, nursing was considered an unattractive, menial occupation, performed by untrained, lower-class personnel.

However, her resolve to be a nurse was strengthened by Elizabeth Blackwell, whom she met at a hospital in London. Miss Blackwell, having overcome a great deal of prejudice, was the first woman to be qualified as a doctor in the United States. She encouraged Florence to pursue her dream.

In 1851, Florence's father finally gave his permission for her to train as a nurse. Now 31, she studied for two years at the Institute of Protestant Deaconesses in Kaiserwerth, Germany. When her training was finished, she was appointed resident lady superintendent of a hospital for invalid women in Harley Street, London.

In 1853, Britain became involved in the Crimean War. Nightingale volunteered her services and was eventually given permission to take a group of 38 nurses to Turkey. Arriving at the army hospital in Scutari, she found the conditions appalling.

The staff lacked supplies, the wounded soldiers were filthy, and diseases such as typhus, cholera and dysentery ran rampant. Actual war wounds accounted for only one death in six. Under Florence's direction, efficient nursing procedures were established, and strict standards for cleanliness were imposed. The death rate dropped significantly. Florence worked in her hospital until the war ended.

In 1856, she returned to England and was greeted as a national heroine. She was dubbed "the angel of the Crimea". In honour of the many, long nights she had patrolled dark hospital aisles, lamp in hand, to check on her patients, she became known as "the lady with the lamp".

 Florence immediately began to reorganize the army medical service in England. She helped hospitals arrange for better ventilation and drainage systems. She oversaw the hiring of competent, trained orderlies.

She introduced a system of precise record keeping, and published two books to publicize her reforms: "Notes on Hospitals" (1859) and "Notes on Nursing" (1860). The latter was the first known textbook for nurses and was translated into many languages.

In honour of her service in the Crimea, money was raised to build the Nightingale School and Home for Nurses at St. Thomas' Hospital. The graduates from her school soon opened nursing schools in other hospitals, and thus, Florence's effective new method of training nurses spread rapidly. Thanks to her influence, nursing became recognized as the respected medical profession it is today.

During her later years, Florence's advice was continually sought on matters concerning everything from designs for hospital construction to policies of public health. Besides receiving many honours from foreign governments, she became the first woman to receive the British Order of Merit in 1907.

Florence suffered poor health in her later years. In 1895, she became blind. Soon after, she lost the use of other faculties and needed full-time nursing care. She lived as a complete invalid in London until her death in 1910.

Florence expressed her deep conviction about the wide scope of responsibilities a nurse should properly assume:

" I use the word nursing for want of a better. It has been limited to signify little more than the administration of medicines and the application of poultices. It ought to signify the proper use of fresh air, light, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and the proper selection and administration of diet all at the least expense of vital power to the patient." Notes on Nursing (1860)

Miss Nightingale was a great lady who practiced what she preached. Patients since her time, who require hospital care, have reason to remember her with gratitude.