Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale (http://dailyoffice.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/florencenightingale382.jpg)

Nurses. When this word comes up in a conversation, people imagine white-clad, kind women, who, alongside the doctor, tenderly treats wounds with a gentle touch. Yet, even in the 21st century, the youth fail to notice them. Instead, they consider unrealistic images from manipulated media as their heroes. Although nurses are depicted in a more superior way than back in history, they remain unfairly overlooked. The woman who first improved the reputation of nurses was the founder of modern nursing herself, Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale is a heroic figure whose accomplishments in life are nothing less than inspiring. She portrayed the compassion of women, and also showed her risky ambition by leaving the security of her family. Although many who surrounded her contradicted her ways, she attempted to follow her own dreams. In addition to influencing others with her personality, Nightingale saved lives, both in her time and ours.

Florence Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820. She was born to an English family of great wealth; “Her father was heir to the to a Derbyshire estate. Her mother, from solid merchant stock, dedicated herself to the pursuit of social pleasure within the circumscribed life then proper for women of high station…”(“Florence Nightingale.” Encyclopedia of the World). Her parents, William and Frances, made sure Nightingale received a high-status education. At a young age, she showed an interest for helping the poor. She made numerous trips to Europe, exposing herself to other religions than that of the Church of England, which she was raised with. Once she left the constricted environment of her family, she went on to achieve many great things that changed the world of healthcare (Webb).

Throughout history, men have demeaned women, stuffing them unfairly into the category of fragility, being inept of brilliance, and only serving the purpose of carrying offspring. Nightingale opposed the sexual stereotype, and symbolized the strength of women in both the heart and mind. The way she accomplished her endeavors speaks for itself. Her determined personality was a contributing factor to receiving her reputation. “She achieved a dominant position in a masculine world, driving and directing her male allies with the same ruthless force she applied to herself”(“Florence Nightingale.” Encyclopedia of the World). The fact that she reached such a high rank in a male-dominant society shows her mental endurance. The way she was able to overcome that gender barrier proves Florence Nightingale’s title as a hero. By rising up to the level of men, she upgraded the position women had in the community. The most important events in Nightingale’s life included being a nurse in the Crimean War. After traveling across the Black Sea to Scutari, she met a ghastly spectacle. “Though the hospital administrators claimed not to have access to supplies, such goods were found to be stored elsewhere…Upon her arrival, patients were given the personal supplies they needed…”(Nursing). Nightingale not only equivalently contributed to the war, but she exceeded the men’s actions. Her determined character provided her the backbone to challenge the status quo and act on what she believed was the right thing to do. In this way, she gained respect from soldiers, defeating the idea that only men can make a difference in the world and gain authority from their peers.

Everyone is aware of the fact that it takes courage to step out of their “comfort zone” and attempting to take on an unfamiliar task. However, that courage meets an entirely different level when an individual sacrifices a whole lifestyle that guarantees a bright future. Though Florence Nightingale came from a family of wealth that promised her stability and a comfortable life, she decided to leave her family and work to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse, regardless of who tried to stop her. As a nurse, Florence Nightingale merely strived to make the world a better place. However, she was greatly questioned for her work. “Florence Nightingale has attracted both attention and dispute ever since she decided to become a nurse and then go to the Crimea. Her fame has been challenged as has her judgment…”(“Florence Nightingale :The Woman and Legend”). Florence Nightingale, unlike many other contradicted heroes, did work not based on an opinion, but based on saving lives and restoring health, a deed considered good in all reasonable humanity. Though unreasonably ridiculed, Nightingale remained head-strong and worked to make her dreams come true. Many people often turn to their families for support while pursuing their dreams. It is one thing for a dream to be disapproved by peers, but by family? “Her family furiously resisted her plan, on the ostensible ground that nurses were not “ladies” but menial drudges, usually of questionable morals”(“Florence Nightingale.” Encyclopedia of World Biography). It is somehow imaginable to bear having to fight against the public to achieve aspirations, but having to fight with no family by her side must have been near intolerable. Though this made Nightingale’s situation in the matter much more complicated, she was fully aware of the path she had chosen. Somehow, Nightingale found the potency to disregard the opposition of those around her and focused on working as a nurse. Even as she achieved her dream and began to accomplish great things, she remained compressed in her abilities to change the world because of her sexual category. “She worked to reform Britain’s War Office, though since she was a woman, she could hold no official post in it” (“Nightingale, Florence (1820-1910).” UXL Biographies). Although she had a limited aptitude for making a difference, Nightingale still managed to become one of the most powerful-minded females in history. As a woman and a nurse, she was often scorned throughout her career. However, she still managed to change the world and save lives, earning her label as a hero.

Nursing wounded soldiers (http://www.gardenofpraise.com/images/nightin4.jpg )

While influencing many groups of people with her passionate personality and driven motivation, Florence Nightingale benefited the health community by raising the status and the respect towards nurses. She is said to have “…made outstanding contributions to the knowledge of public health”(“Florence Nightingale.” Encyclopedia of World Biography). One of these many contributions would be her knowledge being passed on to future generations. “In the next year she presided over the founding of Nightingale School for the training of nurses at St. Thomas’s Hospital in London” (“Florence Nightingale.” Encyclopedia of World Biography). By opening this school, Nightingale inspired aspiring nurses to come and earn an education in how to achieve their dream. The health industry greatly profited from this, for it brought a flow of skilled and experienced nurses that are looking for opportunities. She also began her dramatic positive influence on the health community with her assistance in Scutari. “In October 1854 Nightingale organized a party of 38 nurses, mostly from various religious orders, for service in the Crimean War”(“Florence Nightingale.” Encyclopedia of World Biography). This action led to the rescue of many soldiers’ lives, one of the ways Nightingale became so famous in society. It is said that “…though she couldn’t visit each injured man in Scutari on any given day, the men were content to kiss her shadow as the “Lady with the Lamp” passed by. Florence Nightingale, literally, saved their lives”("Nightingale, Florence (1820-1910)." DISCovering). It is easily observed how much of an inspiring figure Florence Nightingale was. As a nurse during the war, she was depended on by the whole army to survive; she lived up to and beyond that standard. Her bold feats resulted in much reverence from soldiers and those connected to them.

In this generation, people tend to adore erroneously. Instead of selecting an icon based on their ethics and fine deeds, they venerate the typical Hollywood anorexic with the spray-on tan and bleached teeth, flouting their weakness in morality when they succumb to the pressure of publicity and turn to things like drugs and partying to relieve what they think is pain. Although, despite that, they may have accomplished a number of incredible things in their lifetime, they do not deserve idolatry. They lack qualities like inner vigor, pride, and capability of sacrifice. An individual worthy of respect is Florence Nightingale. Despite the fact that her family and the overall public frowned upon her well-meant actions, she undertook great effort to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse and changing the world. In this way, she became an encouraging beacon of hope and strength to many groups of society, and continues to inspire today. For this reason, this generation should discontinue focusing on unrealistic images and revere an individual like Nightingale. Because of her achievements both personally and globally, Florence Nightingale has unmistakably earned the title of hero.