Florence Nightingale: Shaping Modern Nursing

This article discusses Florence Nightingale's contribution in shaping modern nursing through her dedication in pushing for reforms through many publications that she wrote which promote ideal nursing practices. It also highlights her achievements in shaping health record statistics, influencing ward designs, reforming diet habit in hospital, establishing training institution for midwife nurses, and implementing use of statistical charts. The article also discusses how the author relates to Florence Nightingale and how she inspired the author through her dedication, leadership skills, and problem-solving nature.

Running head: NURSING LEADER 1
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Florence nightingale is one of the few women who conquered the societal stereotypes on the role
of women to strive to greater heights in nursing and in the society. She dedicated most of her
time in academic ladder and building a strong religious background that inspired her to dedicate
her life in service to humanity. She is one of the few individuals who contributed immensely in
shaping the modern nursing through her dedication in pushing for reforms through many
publications that she wrote which promote ideal nursing practices. Florence shaped role and
image of nursing for better by doing a number of remarkable things which she is remembered for
(Malpas, 2019).
For instance, Florence contributed immensely in shaping health record statistics something
which was enabled by the fact that she was a skilled mathematician. This achievement led to
application of the record keeping culture in hospitals so as to ease the burden of monitoring
patients and hospital resources. It also led to the realization of the importance of keeping date
and other crucial records in hospitals something which is still applicable up to date. Also,
Florence shaped modern nursing by influencing ward designs which enabled quick recovery of
patients and control of infections within the hospitals. Her nature of word designs is still
applicable in modern hospitals and has contributed to improved patient care thus saving many
lives which could have been lost (Ward, 2018). She also contributed immensely in reforming diet
habit in hospital which she considered as a crucial part of the recovery for the patients. The diet
guidelines are still followed up to date in health facilities. In addition, Florence contributed in
shaping the modern hospitals by establishing training institution for midwife nurses thus making
a transformation in nursing world due to her emphasis on the need of having trained nurses. Her
initiative also influenced development of nursing institutions in other continent following her
footsteps since she is the one who had implemented the idea. She also implemented use of

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statistical charts which were used in analyzing statistical data in hospitals to determine the areas
that needed improvements. This not only made it easy for the hospitals to monitor patient
recovery but also to determine the progress of their institutions towards promoting the wellness
of the patients and also in determining the key challenges being faced (Ward, 2018).
Personally, I do relate to Florence Nightingale in that I`m a nurse by profession an indication that
we share same goal of serving patients and promoting wellness. I also relate to her in the sense
that I consider her as being my role model in that she performed outstandingly in shaping nursing
profession something which has inspired me to positively contribute in changing nursing
profession. I also relate to Florence as a professional by the fact that 1`m a great reader of
numerous books like she did meaning we are all enthusiastic readers (Ward, 2018). Florence also
relates to me by the fact that she had the heart of patients in her heart something which is the
case to me since I really value patients who are my key concern in this profession.
Florence inspired me in through her dedication in shaping the nursing world since she didn’t
leave chances where she thought necessary reforms were required to improve hospitals. Also,
she inspired my through her courageous move to serve in a place which was prone to war
without minding her own safety an indication that she was a selfless leader (Ellis, 2019). The also
inspired women into Florence also inspired me due to her determination to promote change
through fund drive which she initiated so as to build training school for midwifery nurses. She
also inspired me through her creativity and invention nature which in return helped save lives
and transform nursing profession positively. This achievement made me develop problem
solving skills that I can apply in my profession to help the patients and hospitals at large in
achieving quality health for their patients (Malpas, 2019). I was have also been inspired by her
leadership skills of leading by example as she was always ready to overcome challenges in her

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way to achieving quality patient care and hospital cleanliness. I was also inspired by her desire to
acquire knowledge in nursing since she spent her time reading content on hospital and nursing
matters something which has inspired me to become a great reader so as to supplement my
nursing skills with additional knowledge from other authors (Moores, 2019). She also inspired
formation of Red Cross which has since its initiation saved numerous lives through evacuation
and provision of emergency medical services.

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References
Ellis, H. (2019). Florence Nightingale: creator of modern nursing and public health. Journal of
perioperative practice, 1750458919851942.
Malpas, P. (2019). Florence Nightingale. education, 6, 24.
Moores, D. Y. (2019). Florence Nightingale Foundation: what next?. British Journal of Nursing, 28(12),
804-805.
Ward, U. (2018). The Florence Nightingale Foundation: developing nursing's leaders. British Journal of
Nursing, 27(13), 774-775.