Florence Nightingale: Mother of Modern Nursing

Florence Nightingale is the mother of modern Nursing and a Social Reformer known for formalizing Nursing as a profession. She established Nightingale school of nursing at St. Thomas’s Hospital in London. International Nurses Day celebrates her birthday and achievements in the field. 

Florence Nightingale Biography

Early Life, Family background and Education 

• Florence Nightingale was born on 12 May 1820 to William and Frances Nightingale In Florence, Italy and was named after the city. She was the youngest of the two daughters. She belonged to a wealthy family and traced a powerful lineage from both of her parents' sides. 
• Her Sister Frances and her were educated by her father, who supported women’s education and therefore, made them study Literature, Philosophy, History, Mathematics in which she excelled and Languages that she was proficient in at an early age such as Greek, Latin, French, German, Italian. She showed signs of maturity and wit since childhood. 
• She was Never Impressed by the roles assigned to a female of a Docile wife and of a sacrificing mother whose efforts go undervalued. Her views often contradicted that of her mother and elder sister. 
• Brought up in Liberal Unitarian home at the age 16 in february 1837 She had a vision, a “call from god” to work for people and particularly towards Reducing pain in lives. Nursing is what seemed the right option to her but her dreams were considered inappropriate by her family due to her high class pedigree. 

Role in Crimean war and Life after

• Despite opposition, she enrolled herself in Institutions of Protestant Deaconesses, Kaiserswerth, Germany for short periods in 1950 and 1951 respectively where she got acquainted with basic nursing skills.
• Further on, she became superintendent of the Institution for Sick Gentlewomen (Governesses) In London. Later, Held on to the position of superintendent of nurses at King’s College Hospital in London. She did exceptionally well at her job. 
• In 1853, The Crimean war erupted as a result of Geopolitical issues between  the Russian Empire and the allied forces of the ottoman empire including Britain and France. Sidney Herbert, Secretary of state at war for the British government wrote to Florence Nightingale to lead a group of nurses for assistance. At barrack Hospital in Scutari (District of Istanbul) 38 nurses arrived but conditions were filthy, unhygienic and inadequate resources. 
• There were cholera wards and after five days of arrival injured soldiers from battle of balaklava and Battle of Inkerman started coming in. The funds from the assistance was utilised by her to improve the condition of the wards like laundry, Baths, fetching adequate supplies for food. She used to pass through every ward every night with a lamp to offer help which is why is called “Lady of the lamp”. According to investigators, under Nightingale’s Administration the mortality rate reduced to about 2%. Her achievement brought her fame in England.
• In 1855, She fell ill due to crimean fear(brucellosis) . Due to severe chronic pain she resorted to bed. The pain lasted for about 25 years. On 30 March 1856. The Treaty of Paris was signed declaring an end to the Crimean war. 
• After she came back she continued towards making others live better with her intellect and vision. She suggested possible improvements and used statistics to support her arguments. She established several schools to learn nursing, laying the foundation of modern nursing. 
• At age of 90 she left the world in mayfair, london leaving an unmatched legacy in her field. Her contributions are still appreciated. 

Florence Nightingale’s Establishments and works 

• ROYAL COMMISSION - After coming back to England she met with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to discuss the need to reform the British military establishment. She kept a data of things she observed and based on her findings a royal commission was founded. 
• COXCOMB CHART - This chart was developed by nightingale to keep a track of mortality rate at barrack hospital, It is also known as rose chart or plot area diagram. 
• NIGHTINGALE FUND -  Started as a token of respect, to raise funds for philanthropy. (1855)
• NIGHTINGALE SCHOOL OF NURSING - A school nightingale establishment to allow people to learn nursing and head into the field. (1860) 
•  NOTES ON NURSING- Her book Notes on nursing: what it is and what it is not serves as a direction to nurse any sick. 

Some Facts About Florence Nightingale

• Her thoughts as a woman stem from Mary Clarke, Parisian Hostess.
• 1853, After her training in Germany she broke ties with her family. 
• She chose to stay unmarried because her personal life could interfere in her Goal. 
• Her maternal grandfather was william smith a abolitionist and unitarian. 
• She often used statistical data and graphs.