Florence Nightingale’s System of Nursing really began in the 1860’s with a fund of 144,000 pounds. This was an enormous sum in England or anywhere at that time. She was in total control of all the funds because of her reputation and ethical character. She did not especially approve of physicians involving themselves in nurses training nor did she like them as hospital administrators (Hallett, 2010) In fact, she had as many problems with hospital administrators in the late 1880’s as nurses have currently:
As for doctors, civil or military, there must be something in the smell of the medicines which induces absolute administrative incapacity (Nightingale, 1880).
She like she endured the problems that challenge the current nursing profession. Here’s something that might shock you. She believed that nursing was not a profession. She held distain for the very mention of the word profession in conjunction with nursing (Hallett, 2010).
The work of a nurse into a mere profession [is] degenerating. A nurse’s work is not a profession but a calling (Nightingale, 1880).
She called her nurses Nightingales and their “calling” like our profession held the women to the highest standards.
I hope you enjoyed this quick look at Florence.
Mary B.
References
Hallet, C. (2012). Celebrating nursing: A visual history. London, UK: Ben Johnson House.
Nightingale, F. (1880). In L. McDonald, Florence Nightingale: The Nightingale School (2009). Canada: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
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