Life and achievements
Early life
Florence Nightingale was born to a British family on May 12 May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy. Her father, William Edward Nightingale, was a landowner; her mother, Frances Nightingale, was from a business family of merchants. Born in Florence, she was the second child of her parents and, therefore, the younger of the two. Her sister was also named Parthenope after the place of her birth, a Greek colony in Naples.
Despite her privileged upbringing on the family estates in Derbyshire and Hampshire, Florence was not a self-absorbed girl. She was homeschooled by her father in the classics, excelling in history, mathematics, and languages. However, what truly set her apart was her early involvement in charity work. From her formative years, she would attend to the sick and poor villagers in her community, a clear sign of her future dedication to nursing.
Florence Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820; at 17 in 1837, she felt the calling to help others. This calling strengthened her passion to take nursing as her profession, even if it is not a common practice for women of her status. Her parents did not support her dreams; they wanted her to marry and become a housewife and mother. But Florence was a woman of her word and embarked on learning the science and the art of nursing.
1844, she convinced her family and entered the nursing course at the Lutheran Hospital of Pastor Fliedner in Kaiserswerth, Germany. This was a turning point for her as it gave her the necessary medical skills and experiences and assured her that this was what she really wanted to do. She also pursued further education in Paris and London, where she attained more experience in patient handling and hospital management.
In her childhood and youth, Florence Nightingale had a rather non-typical character for a woman of her time: she was stubborn and devoted to nursing. Her commitment to her profession would later propel her to make significant discoveries in nursing and public health.
Legacy
Nightingale's impact on society is immense, and her contributions to nursing are immeasurable. Her contributions during the Crimean War are the starting point of modern nursing. By focusing on hygiene, she reduced the death rate significantly and proved that nursing is essential to patient management.
Nightingale started the Nightingale Training School for Nurses at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, completely changing the nursing education system. The school's training programs were quite demanding, meaning the nurses produced were knowledgeable and competent. This model impacted nursing schools across the globe and made nursing a professional and significant part of the healthcare system.
Apart from nursing, Nightingale was one of the early pioneers of using statistics in healthcare. Her creativity in using graphs, including the polar area diagram, made it easier to present the effects of sanitation on health. This approach not only improved public health reforms but also made her known as one of the leading experts in data visualization.
Nightingale also contributed in the areas of public health and social services. She promoted the cause of cleanliness, enhanced health centres and the nursing profession. She worked for public health in Britain, changed the face of healthcare, and influenced the rest of the world. Her work also led to the creation of the International Red Cross's Florence Nightingale Medal, which is the highest international recognition for nurses and is awarded for distinguished service.
Every year, on International Nurses Day, which falls on her birthday, she is remembered to honour her contribution to nursing and healthcare. Florence Nightingale's passion, creativity, and lobbying made her a famous nurse and a great leader who is well remembered today.
Milestone moments
Oct 17, 1854
Departure to Crimea
Her most famous nursing work started in October 1854, when she went to the Crimean War.
She and her 38 volunteer nurses went to the Ottoman Empire to help nurse the injured British soldiers.
When Nightingale got to the hospital, she was faced with an unsanitary environment, poor provision, and high death rates resulting from diseases.
She ensured good hygiene, such as hand washing, disposal of ashes, and proper ventilation, to minimize the death rate.
This made her work during this period, and she became known as the 'Lady with the Lamp' because she used to visit the wounded at night.
Nightingale's work during the Crimean War brought the importance of nursing to the foreground and paved the way for changes in nursing practices in military and civilian hospitals.
May 16, 1856
Return to England
Florence Nightingale returned to England in May 1856 after the end of the Crimean War, and she was welcomed as a hero.
Nevertheless, she was a private person and tried not to accept awards and other public recognitions, but her work was highly appreciated and respected.
With this newfound position, Nightingale could lobby for changes in the healthcare systems, especially regarding cleanliness.
She devised a research study called the "Report of the Royal Commission on the Health of the Army" that saw a positive change in the army's medical care.
Nightingale's return signified the beginning of her active involvement in improving public health and nursing education, as she advocated for change and improvement in the nursing profession.
Jul 16, 1860
Creation of Nightingale Training School
In July 1860, Florence Nightingale founded the first nursing school, Nightingale Training School for Nurses, at St. Thomas' Hospital in London.
This was the first school of its kind to provide systematic training to nurses, following the Nightingale model and standards.
This milestone paved the way for professional nursing, where nurses are competent in rendering patient care.
The success of the Nightingale Training School for Nurses paved the way for the development of similar programs and the recognition of nursing as a profession.
Nightingale's focus on education, cleanliness, and the treatment of the patient altered the face of nursing and provided the foundation for contemporary nursing.
Aug 16, 1910
Passing and Legacy
Florence Nightingale died on August 13, 1910, at the age of 90, and she left a great impact.
She contributed immensely to nursing, public health and healthcare reforms and her influence is still felt today.
Nightingale's application of statistics, development of nursing education, and promotion of cleanliness changed the face of healthcare worldwide.
It is observed on May 12 every year, her birth date, as International Nurses Day as a tribute to her and her contribution to the nursing profession.
Nightingale's passion, commitment, and devotion to the nursing profession and the enhancement of healthcare are still evident today among many nurses and other healthcare workers around the globe.