Florence Nightingale Biography
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| Florence Nightingale |
Florence
Nightingale laid the foundation of modern nursing by organizing it on a
scientific basis and made outstanding contributions to public health. She is
better known throughout the world as ‘The Lady with the Lamp’. Florence
Nightingale was a wonderful woman who, rejecting the comforts and luxuries of
homely life, dedicated herself to the selfless service of the sick and the
wounded with a missionary zeal.
Florence
Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820 in Florence, Italy. Her parents were very
wealthy. Florence was largely educated by her father. He (Florence’s father)
taught her Greek, Latin, French, German, Italian, History, Philosophy and
Mathematics. She read widely in many languages throughout her life. Though
Florence was tempted by prospects of brilliant social life and marriage, it was
generally unsatisfying for her. She had a stronger strain that demanded
independence, dominance in some field of activity and obedience to God by
selfless service to society.
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| Florence Nightingale |
Nightingale
decided to work in hospitals in 1844. Her proposal to study nursing at a
hospital was scotched (decisively put an end to). But her parents had
ultimately to bow before the indomitable will of their daughter. Nightingale
received training in nursing in Germany and France. Within three years she was
regarded by influential friends as an expert on public health and hospitals.
During
the Crimean War (1854-1856), she came to the British Army Hospital at Scutari
in Turkey. She was one of the 40 members nursing team. She did a very
commendable job. She improved the condition of the hospital spending her own
money. By the end of 1854, some order and cleanliness had been restored, not
only through her efforts but also through the revolutions and improvements made
by a Government Sanitary Commission. By her dedication to the service of the
patients in the hospital, she brought a new ray of hope to them. While visiting
the patients at night, she used to hold a lamp in her hand and so she came to
be known as ‘The Lady with the Lamp’.
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| Florence Nightingale |
In
May, 1857, the Royal Commission on the Health of the Army was appointed.
Nightingale compiled a confidential report. The report covered hospital
administration and the whole field of army medical. It was later privately
printed as her notes on Matters Affecting the Health, Efficiency and
Hospital Administration of the British Army (1858).
Florence
Nightingale was known for her reforms in the British hospitals. She established
the Nightingale School for Nurses in London in 1860. The school was the first
such in the world. Nightingale is also the founder of trained nursing as a
profession for women.
Nightingale’s
personality is well documented. Throughout her life she rebelled against the
idle, sheltered existence of her family. She frequently complained of women’s
selfishness. She ironically had no sympathy with the growing feminist movement.
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| Florence Nightingale |
Florence
Nightingale never really recovered from the physical strain of the Crimea. After
1861 she was housebound and bedridden. Even in her suffering due to physical
discomfort and mental strain, she was able to devote herself night and day to
the task at hand, until in 1901 when she became completely blind. In 1907, the
King conferred on her the Order of Merit—the first woman ever to receive
it. Florence Nightingale died on August 13, 1910. The offer of a national
funeral and burial in Westminster Abbey was, by her wish, declined. However,
Florence Nightingale was an embodiment of sacrifice and compassion and her
noble life will always inspire the people of the world of selfless service.
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