3 Reasons Florence Nightengale Still Inspires Today

May is National Nurse’s Month, largely because May 12th is the birthday (1820) of the inspirational founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightengale. It’s an apt time to reflect on her compassion, innovation and determination during our national Covid19 crisis when nurses are demonstrating lifesaving heroism and resolve. 

Her name was an aptronym, suited to its owner who’s powerful song for improved patient care came to prominence while serving as a leader and trainer of battlefield British nurses during the Crimean War 1854-1856.  Following her motivational, selfless service in Turkey where she earned iconic status becoming known as “The Lady with the Lamp,” making rounds of field hospitals with wounded soldiers at night, she returned to Victorian London.  There she became a became an outspoken proponent for modern sanitary, medical practices, delivering keynote addresses to influential audiences while boosting the reputation oft overlooked nurses.  

Three of her leadership attributes that inspire today: 

  • TEAMWORK: Broke barriers by communicating, coordinating and collaborating with others to improve patient care
  • TONE: Her words and deeds were courageous.  ”How little can be done under the spirit of fear.” 
  • TENACITY: Resilient on the battlefield and in the offices of British power brokers from who she sought endorsement of bold new ideas and practices.  “I attribute my success to this – I never gave or took an excuse.”

In 1860, Nightingale established the world’s first secular nursing school at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London (now part of King’s College).  A data visualization pioneer, her influential use of medical information graphics was fundamental to her success. In 1883, she became the first recipient of the British Royal Red Cross and in 1907 she became the first female recipient of the French Ordre du Merite.  “The Nightingale Pledge, a statement of ethics and principles, is still taken by new nurses in the U.S. today! 

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