Nightingale's Environmental Theory: Report on Nursing Principles

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory, a cornerstone in the field of nursing. It explores the theory's origins, major concepts such as ventilation, cleanliness, and bedding, and its impact on nursing practice. The report highlights the nursing paradigms within the theory, including the interconnectedness of nursing, the patient (person), health, and the environment. It also discusses the importance of a healthy environment for holistic patient care and the distinct role of nursing in patient care. While acknowledging its historical significance, the report also briefly touches upon the theory's limitations, such as its focus on physical recovery and relative lack of emphasis on psychological needs. The report concludes by emphasizing the enduring legacy of Nightingale's work in shaping modern nursing practices and the ongoing relevance of her principles in healthcare environments.

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Biography:
The Nightingale’s environment theory has been composed by Florence Nightingale.
She was born on 12th May, 1820 at Florence, Italy and was known as the lady with the lamp
(Medeiros et al., 2015). She has been considered as the pioneer of modern nursing for her
generous services during the Crimean war and her nursing theory that added a new dimension
to the profession. She emphasised on the aspect of nursing education and practice and use
statistical models to explain nursing relevant theories. Florence Nightingale further
established the fact that nursing is distinctly different from medicine. She further established
the first professional nursing school in the year 1860, at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London.
This nursing school also became the first secular nursing school in the world. Florence
Nightingale propounded many theories that forms the basis of the modern theories of nursing.
In this context, it should be mentioned that the environment theory propounded by her served
as a major milestone in the field of nursing which can be found in her book, ‘Notes on
nursing, what it is, what it is not.’ She typically included infographics and statistical
representations to devise a clear explanation about her nursing theories and presented the
information in lucid English. In addition to this, her works on religion and mysticism also
present a brilliant example of her versatile writing expertise. In recognition of the immense
contribution made by her, the nurses take the ‘Florence Nightingale’ pledge on entering the
profession. Also, the ‘Florence Nightingale award’ is the most prestigious award that is
awarded to a nursing professional for the brilliant services towards serving people. Florence
Nightingale also struggled for the abolition of the harsh prostitution laws and the employment
equality for women. The world celebrated the International Nurses Day on 12th May every
year in remembrance of the lady with the lamp (Medeiros et al., 2015). She left for her
heavenly abode on 13th August, 1910.

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Basis of Nightingale’s theory:
The theory is based upon considerations such as nursing laws and the distinction of
nursing from medicine. It relies on the fact that nursing can be perfected through the
alteration of the environment (Zborowsky, 2014).
Major Concepts:
Major concepts include, maintenance of ventilation and warming, cleanliness,
maintenance of bedding and promotion of health and hygiene.
Nursing Paradigms:
The theories can be compiled to form a conceptual model that covers four elements
that include, nursing, person, health and environment.
Nursing: Nursing is distinct from medicine and includes placing the patient in a care giving
situation
Person: Consideration of the biological, social, psychological and spiritual components of
the patient
Health: Health is not merely the absence of a disease but complete wellness of body and
mind
Environment: Healthy and positive environment leads to accelerated recovery
Nursing Theory and Practice:
 Patients must be placed under a positive environment
 A healthy environment forms the basis of holistic care

4THEORY
Demerits:
 Focused on rendering sub-service to doctors
 Ignored the psychological needs of patient and focused more on physical recovery

5THEORY
References:
Medeiros, A. B. D. A., Enders, B. C., & Lira, A. L. B. D. C. (2015). The Florence
Nightingale’s environmental theory: A critical analysis. Escola Anna Nery, 19(3),
518-524.
Zborowsky, T. (2014). The legacy of Florence Nightingale's environmental theory: Nursing
research focusing on the impact of healthcare environments. HERD: Health
Environments Research & Design Journal, 7(4), 19-34.