I’ve told several people about Florence Nightingale recently, and not very many seem to know who she was, or what she did. I, personally, have always looked up to Florence Nightingale. When I was younger, I read about her and decided I wanted to dress up as the famous nurse for Halloween (That’s right, people, I’ve been a nerd my whole life). So, in an attempt to educate you people who don’t know the awesomeness of Florence Nightingale, I have written a blog post. Yeah, I’m really into biographies, lately. Oh, and this is also an essay/assignment for class. Again. Here you go:
Florence Nightingale lived in England during the 1800s. During her lifetime, she improved military hospitals, started nursing schools, advocated women’s roles in society, and revolutionized the public health system. She was born into a family of high social standing. Because of her family’s social standing, she had to attend endless parties, gatherings, afternoon tea, or gossip sessions with other women of high class society. Florence was tired of the tedious social life she was expected to carry on, and yearned for independence. (Florence Nightingale.)
When Florence was 16, she received a call from God to devote her life to service. She wondered how she could do this, and decided that nursing would fulfill her calling. She fought her family on the subject for many years. Finally, her parents consented, on the condition that she seek an education in nursing privately, so as not to embarrass her family.
Florence enrolled at the Institution of Protestant Deaconesses in Kaiserswerth, Germany, receiving training for two weeks in 1850, and then again in 1851, for three months. She learned basic skills in nursing, patient observation, and hospital organization. In 1853, she wanted to break from her family’s social environment. Because of her and her family’s social connections, Florence was able to become the superintendent of the Institution for Sick Gentlewomen in Distressed Circumstances, in London. She displayed her great skill as an administrator by improving the nursing care, hospital efficiency, and working conditions. After one year, Florence decided that training nurses would be more beneficial to the public health systems. However, she did much more than just that.
In 1853, the Crimean War broke out between Turkey and Russia, with France and Britain joining in on Turkey’s side. Sidney Herbert, the Secretary of State at the time, wrote to Florence and asked her to bring a group of nurses to Scutari. In October 1854, Florence led 38 nurses to Scutari, only to be rejected by the medical officers there. The conditions at the military hospital in Scutari were absolutely repulsing. There were not enough supplies, the rooms and beds were rank and filthy, and the soldiers were dropping like flies. Five days after the arrival of Florence and her nurses however, the injured soldiers from the Battle of Balaklava and the Battle of Inkerman came and overwhelmed the hospital and the medical officers. Florence and her nurses were enlisted to help.
The hospital obviously needed improving. Florence saw to it that the beds were cleaned, supplies bought, patients washed and clothed and given adequate food. She worked in Scutari for long periods of time, and eventually collapsed from the work she pushed herself to accomplish. Later, she also contracted the “Crimean Fever” and had to take to her bed for much of her later years. (Selanders, Louise.)
Even after all she did in Scutari, she didn’t stop working for the improvement of the public health systems. She gained an audience with the Queen of England, asking to start a commision for sanitary military hospitals. She helped found the East London Nursing Society, the Workhouse Nursing Association, and the Queen’s Jubilee Nursing Institute. She also wrote, openly expressing her opinion on women’s rights. (Anderson, Amy.)
She devoted her entire life to learning and improving, and teaching others to do the same. She transformed nursing. She was a great example and source of wisdom in her time. And I think she can inspire us all to go forth, learn, and accomplish great things. She certainly inspires me.See? Told you she was awesome.
Sagerific
