We have all heard the stories about Florence Nightingale. She was a young woman that was born in Florence, Italy, on May 12, 1820. She spent most of her childhood in England and although she didn't attend school, her father taught her well.
At an early age she began to study elementary nursing techniques and in 1852 she was given the position of superintendent of the Institution for
the Care of Sick Gentlewomen in London.
During the Crimean war in 1854 she volunteered as a nurse with a group
of other women. The conditions of the nurising facilities
were inadequate an she brought about changes that would improve the sanitary conditions of the patients care. Florence would check on and comfort the
patients at night, walking the halls with a lamp. It was because of this that
the soldiers gave her the nickname, "The Lady with the Lamp."
In 1856, she became widely known as superintendent of the Female
Nursing Establishment of the Military Hospitals. After meeting with Queen Victoria
she was promised a royal
commission and the Royal Commission on the
Health of the Army, was created in 1857, and this commission also formed an Army
Medical School in 1857 as well. Another royal commission was created as well in
1859, and this commission established a Sanitary Department in 1868.
In
1860, Florence created the Nightingale School for Nurses at St. Thomas'
Hospital. This was the first of its kind, and Florence reformed the workhouses
and trained the midwives and nurses herself. However, her health began to fail
her and in 1901, she became
completely blind. Florence died in London, England, on August 13, 1910.
Although this gives one a brief overview of her life, I cannot help but wonder about her personal life. After all she was a real woman and I am sure felt the fear, fatigue and emotions that we all do as we move through the different stages of life. There must have been times when she was angry and frustrated and longed for some peace and quiet. Or maybe she found her true calling and it remained her passion throughout her life. How many of us live our lives waiting and dreaming about what we really want to do but push it aside to deal with the real issues of our busy lives. How many of us fear our dreams because reaching towards them just feels painful and impossible. Sound familiar? What a shame to limit our own possibilities with a smaller life.
How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.
Florence Nightengale
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