Florence Nightingale was a prominent British nurse, statistician, and social reformer widely recognized as the founder of modern nursing. Born on May 12, 1820, Nightingale trained as a student nurse at the Institution of Protestant Deaconesses at Kaiserswerth, Germany, in 1850. During her training, she gained practical nursing skills and experience by caring for the sick and injured.
After returning to England, Nightingale became the superintendent of a women’s hospital in London. Her exceptional nursing abilities and compassionate care earned her an outstanding reputation, and the British government began noticing her work. In November 1854, Nightingale received a request to lead a team of nurses in Crimea, where the hospitals were notoriously disorganized and unsanitary, leading to high mortality rates among the soldiers.
Upon arrival, Nightingale immediately set out to improve the soldiers’ living conditions. She implemented strict hygiene practices, such as regular sanitizing of hospital wards and handwashing, to combat infections. Nightingale’s tireless efforts dramatically decreased the mortality rate among the soldiers, reducing it by two-thirds. The soldiers dubbed her “the Lady with the Lamp” as she conducted her nightly rounds of the hospital with a lamp in hand to check on the wounded.
Nightingale’s contributions during the Crimean War profoundly impacted the nursing field. Her emphasis on compassionate care and evidence-based practices has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare. And her unwavering dedication to preventing disease and alleviating her patients’ suffering continues to inspire nurses and healthcare professionals to this day, her story proving that a single person can make a difference in the world.
Sungjin Yun Staff Reporter
1. Who is Florence Nightingale, according to the first paragraph?
2. What did Florence Nightingale do after returning to England?
3. What did Florence Nightingale do during the Crimean War?
4. How did Florence Nightingale's contributions during the Crimean War impact the nursing field?
1. What is your impression of Florence Nightingale?
2. How important are nurses to a hospital? Describe their role.
3. What are some things that can contribute to the mortality rate during a war?
4. What are some diseases that you have had in the past? Describe when and how you got them.
Florence Nightingale was a prominent British nurse, statistician, and social reformer widely recognized as the founder of modern nursing. Born on May 12, 1820, Nightingale trained as a student nurse at the Institution of Protestant Deaconesses at Kaiserswerth, Germany, in 1850. During her training, she gained practical nursing skills and experience by caring for the sick and injured.
