| Name(s) |
FLORENCE
NIGHTINGALE |
| Date of
Birth |
May 12, 1820
– Florence, Italy. |
| Date of
Death |
August 13, 1910
– London, England. |
|
Identity |
British Nurse & Statistician |
|
General |
- A celebrated British social
reformer and statistician, and the
founder of modern nursing.
- Despite being born and blessed
with all privileges of a wealthy and
lucky person, she was an unhappy
young woman; she used to often
suffer from the feelings of
depression and unworthiness amidst
poverty and unemployment.
- She often pondered over the need
for charity rather than living
luxurious life.
- She refused various proposals
for marriage coming from very rich
and powerful families.
- At the age of around 25, she
suddenly developed a passion for the
nursing profession, but her wealthy
parents did not approve this idea.
- At 31 years of age, she went to
Germany to study to become nurse.
- Two years later, she was
appointed as Resident lady
Superintendent of a hospital for
invalid women in London.
- In March, 1853, Russia invaded
Turkey. Britain and France,
concerned about the growing power of
Russia, went to Turkey's aid. There
were huge casualties in the war.
- Florence Nightingale volunteered
her services and was eventually
given permission to take a group of
thirty-eight nurses to Turkey.
- After serving the wounded army
soldiers to everybodies'
satisfaction, she returned to London
as a national heroine.
- She was deeply shocked to
observe the extremely poor hygiene
and patient care conditions in
Turkey.
- She therefore decided to start a
serious campaign to improve upon the
quality of nursing at the military
hospitals.
- Soon she met Queen Victoria and
Prince Albert and thereafter she
also happened to give evidence to
the Sanitary Commission, which
evetually led to the formation of
the Army Medical College.
- To further strengthen her
campaign, she also published two
books in 1859.
- She also raised sufficient funds
with the support of her wealthy
friends to enable her to found the
Nightingale School and Home for
Nurses.
|
|
Commemorations |
- In 1912 the International
Committee of the Red Cross
instituted the Florence Nightingale
Medal, awarded every two years to
nurses or nursing aides for
outstanding service.
- The President of India honours
nursing professionals with the
"National Florence Nightingale
Award" every year on the occasion of
International Nurses Day on 12 May.
The award, established in 1973, is
given in recognition of meritorious
services of nursing professionals
characterised by devotion,
sincerity, dedication and
compassion.
- A statue of Florence Nightingale
stands in Waterloo Place,
Westminster, London, just off The
Mall.
|
|
<> PROFILE <> CROSSWORD
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QUIZ
on the History of the Date of His Birth <>
QUIZ
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A booklet of 25
Crossword Puzzles on NURSING <>