Florence Nightingale

The only nurse that inspired me much is Florence Nightingale. This legendary nurse did many wonderful things in her life. Her work influences the nursing world. Not only her nursing makes me desire to become a nurse but her spirit and passion as a social person implemented in her job.

She was born on 12th May 1820 at the Villa Colombia, Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, and was named after the city of her birth. Her parents were William Edward Nightingale (1794–1875) and Frances "Fanny" Nightingale née Smith (1789–1880). Her childhood days were full of parties that were always celebrated by her parents in her house. Little Florence didn’t like this socialite habit. She didn’t think the parties brought any advantages. She realized outside the house there were many people who needed help. They were the poor that didn’t have enough food to eat. She was eager to do something for them.

In that time, the role as a daughter in a rich family was to become a wife and mother of some children. This view grew a rebellion in herself that Florence committed to nursing. In that time nursing was a career with a poor reputation because it was filled mostly by poorer women, who followed the armies. In fact, nurses were equally likely to function as cooks. Her mother and sister disagreed with her decision. But Florence insisted.

The Lady with The Lamp http://www.solarnavigator.net/history/ explorers_history/florence_nightingale_lady_of_the_lamp.jpg

The Crimean War appeared with horrifying conditions for the wounded. She realized that her helping could reduce the numbers of dead there. On 21 October 1854, she and a staff of 38 women volunteer nurses, trained by Florence and including her aunt Mai Smith, were sent to Turkey. She and her nurses found wounded soldiers being badly cared for by overworked medical staff in the face of official indifference." There, the “Lady in the Lamp” was very well-known. Florence got this name as the victims’ appreciation to her. Every night, she always walked around the hospital for about 5 km to check out and interact with all the victims. She brought her lamp to light her way. Her kindness was very famous in that day. She inspired many people to do something to help the victims.

Until her death, Florence was still working. She "wrote Notes on Nursing, which was published in 1860. A slim 136 page book that served as the cornerstone of the curriculum at the Nightingale School and other nursing schools were established." Florence's work served as an inspiration for nurses in the American Civil War. It has proved that her decision was meaningful for others. She ignored the risks that she knew she would face. I want to be like her. I help the poor people and I have done through little actions.