Course NURS 1001: Florance Nightingale scholarly paper
Florance Nightingale Theory of Nursing
Introduction
Modern nursing is credited to Florence Nightingale (Gilbert, 2020). Born on May 12, 1820, she was a pioneer woman who was named after her birthplace of Florence, Italy. From an upper-class British family, Florence was raised with high expectations for her future, such as marriage. In spite of the expectations of her family, Florence pursued the goals she set and believed was her calling. At a young age she harboured a desire to assist the underprivileged and suffering. She advocated for improved healthcare for herself and others, despite the nursing profession’s widespread disregard in the 19th century (Riegel, 2021).
This paper examines the bibliography of Florence Nightingale, her pioneering work in healthcare reform, and her everlasting theory that has influenced the practice of nursing as both an occupation and a skill. By analyzing her methods, structures, and the framework context of her century, we can gain a better understanding of how Nightingale’s vision continues to influence modern healthcare practices and the ongoing evolution of nursing today, as evidenced by the successful application of the environmental theory.
Background
During the Cirmean War, Florence relocated from her birthplace, Italy, to pursue a career as a nurse (Gilbert, 2020). The Crimean War erupted in 1853, and the conditions in military hospitals were dire. English soldiers were responsible for the operation of these facilities, which were lacking of any nursing services. Consequently, an expedition of 38 volunteer nurses, led and trained by Nightingale, was created (Aguado & Gómez-Cantarino, 2021). This move led to her enhancement of the hygienic, sanitary and environmental conditions in military hospitals (Gilbert, 2020). The British Army Hospital, which was established in the Turkish Selimiye Barracks at Scutari, was the destination for the wounded, as the hospitals for the soldiers were devoid of the necessary staff, medical supplies, and transportation (Gilbert, 2020). This resulted in some of the injured waiting for weeks without treatment before being transported from the battlefield (Gilbert, 2020).
Florance was also very well known as the “lady with the lamp” due to Florance routinely walking the wards at night, with her Turkish lantern, known as a fanoos, checking on patients as she passed, often being on duty for 20 hours or more (Gilbert, 2020). The actions of Nightingale during the conflict have earned her an extraordinary quantity of recognition from a large number of deeply respected individuals till this day (Riegel, 2021). Nightingale’s narrative did not end following the conclusion of the war. At St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, Florance established the Nightingales Training School for Nurses (The Nightingale Tradition, 1960). Following this, the institution gained global recognition as she was known as the leader in the field of nursing education and profession (The Nightingale Tradition, 1960). In addition to establishing the groundwork for the profession of nursing, nursing also gained more respect for the career itself.
One of the notable traits of Florence Nightingale’s nursing legacy is her emphasis on critical, holistic thinking (Riegel, 2021). Her teachings emphasize the importance of nurses using their brain, heart, and hands to create healing environments for patients’ body, mind, and spirit (Riegel, 2021). From the time of Nightingale, nursing has been developing a comprehensive framework that emphasizes a humanistic perspective on our interconnectedness with the environment.
Environmental theory:
Nightingale’s legacy and the contributions she made to the growth of nursing as a respected profession, advocacy for public health, and patient care stretch well beyond the battlefield hospitals that were established during the Crimean War. It was Nightingale’s thorough use of acknowledging the importance the environmental factors have on the patients and the processes that set the framework for current nursing education and healthcare policy, both of which continue to be practiced in nursing today. The significance of clean surroundings for the general health and recovery of patients has been demonstrated by Nightingale’s Environmental Theory (Gilbert, 2020). Nightingale identified five fundamental concepts for a healthy environment: clean air, purified water, efficient drainage, and light (Gilbert, 2020). The healthcare industry has benefited from this theory, in order to optimize patient outcomes, nurses have a responsibility to adhere to these regulations. According to Nightingale, the “Health of Houses,” which she referred to as the sanitation of the environment, is a critical component of a healthy environment (Gilbert, 2020). She claims that “No house can be healthy without these.” (Gilbert, 2020). In addition to wholesome and nourishing food, she and her nurses collaborated to provide hygienic solutions, including clean linens, clothing, wound dressings, and the environment (Gilbert, 2020). These concepts are essential for maintaining a healthy household, particularly in the context of diseases or infections. The sanitary conditions that were implemented daily were waste disposal, lime cleansing of walls and floors, sewer cleaning, and water supply enhancements. This led to a reduction in the number of patients, improved conditions in overcrowded wards, and an improvement in the health of those arriving from Crimea (Gilbert, 2020). During the conflict, the mortality rate of soldiers was greater due to infection than combat casualties (Gilbert, 2020). As Nightingale’s work improved, it resulted in reducing the mortality rate.
Personal choice and reflection
Florance Nightingale was my selection for this assignment, as it pertains to nursing theories. In addition to enhancing patient outcomes and sanitation in the past and future, us as students and new graduates are continuously being educated and adapting her theory into our everyday practice. It is an extremely gratifying experience to conduct research and further my education on the development of her theory, given her historical significance as a pioneer in the nursing field. By writing about her theory, I am able to observe and share my insights into the development of nursing and its vital function in modern health care.
Florence Nightingale’s nursing theory resonated with me in numerous ways. I was moved by her desire to assist those in need and those who are suffering at such a young age. Florance’s passion for nursing education and safe practice inspires me. Nurses now continue her legacy of advocating for themselves and others to improve care (Gilbert, 2020). My ambition to become a nurse is related to Florence Nightingale’s clinical approach and dedication to improving health care. For instance, the global pandemic that has persisted for an extended period has highlighted the significance of hygienic and sanitary practices in the healthcare sector and the external environment (Fernandes et al., 2020). These two components of standardized care is the foundation of the reducing nfection transmission and secure treatments (Fernandes et al., 2020) . The ongoing discussion on healthcare is significant to Nightingale’s holistic health perspective, which emphasizes the influence of the environment on health. Her focus on patient care, cleanliness, and sanitation is especially significant in light of global health issues, including the COVID-19 epidemic (Fernandes et al., 2020) .
I have prioritized human connection and assistance during periods of vulnerability since my childhood. As a result, the concepts and practices of nursing has influenced me to continue my grown in this career. I was exposed to a substantial amount of responsibility and leadership growing up through multiple opportunities to educate and care for my peers. Furthermore, I am aware that I am a person capable of conquering difficulties, refusing to give up, and efficiently resolving challenges, as this is relating to Florance demonstrating her strong advocacy and persistence throughout her growth of the enviromental theory.
Analysis of theory
In line with Florence Nightingale’s idea, it has been established that the positive and negative impacts of environmental concerns have an influence on the overall health state of patients. Nightingale’s theory lays a higher focus on the environmental effects revolved in health care and highlights the changes that can be made to improve the surrounding environment conditions. Despite the fact that psychological, phsycological, and social factors all have a substantial impact on one’s health.
Nightinagle’s theory does not speak on mental health diseases that contribute to individual healing processes. For example, depression, patients feeling a loss of motivation to help themselves in recovery. Lack of resources for patient recovery such as, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and social work to assess and create patient goals for recuporation. Nightengales theory focuses on the aspects of environmental factors visisble to the eye, while we need to consider such that is not. Personal protective equipment have been in place to decrease spread of infection. The expectations for not only staff, but other patients and visitors within the enviroment need to be considered when entering areas of care to stop the spread of pathogens that cannot be visible or may be unknown. Nevertheless, as the nursing profession has developed over the course of time, we have come to the realization that, in addition to the environmental factor, there are a great deal of other components and characteristics that contribute to an individual’s overall well-being.
The environmental theory made the backbone to strengthen the first steps in healing for the patient.. Thus leading to the discovery of many other ideas of improvements such as medications, technology and training for skills within the scope of practice. Everyday nursing is changing and growing as the world and illnesses keep changing. By applying Nightingale’s nursing theory in todays nursing practice, still continues to benefit patient outcomes, improve enviromental sanitation and continues ot deacrease the spread of infections. Infection control prcatices such as hand washing and sanitation as she provided us with the education have helped many infections transsmission from being spreads, less hospital-aquaired infections and us as nurses continue to use the foundational protocols from nightingales theory.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Florance Nightingale theory has been an impact on nursing for lengthful amount of time, her theory laid the groundwork for modern nursing practices and continues to influence healthcare education and policy today. As the nursing career progresses we discover many more valuable tactics and strategies to improve the healthcare system and the treatments provied to the pateints.
Throughout Nightingale’s later life, she was mostly confined to her bed due to chronic illness which she acquired it during her service in Crimea (Karimi & Masoudi, 2015). During this time she was an abundant writer. Nightingale wrote thousands of notes, letters, diaries, reports, manuscripts and books on all manner of health reform and similar topics of the environmental theory of nursing (Heather.A, 2020). Nightingale’s book ‘Notes on Nursing’ was the first book published for nursing education in 1860 (Karimi & Masoudi, 2015). Nightingale insisted on building trusting relationships with patients. She believed that having good presence with patients is key to ensure professional communication. Florence Nightingale died August 13th, 1910 at the age of ninety (Karimi & Masoudi, 2015).
References
Aguado, M. M., Gómez-Cantarino, S., Queirós, P. J. P. (2021). The Florence Nightingale’s
nursing theoretical model: a transmission of knowledge. *Rev Gaúcha Enferm, 42 *, Article e20200228. https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2021.20200228
Fernandes, A. G. O., et al., (2020). War against the COVID-19 pandemic: Reflection in light of florence nightingale’s nursing theory. [Guerra contra a pandemia COVID-19: reflexáo á luz da teoria de enfermagem de Florence Nightingale Guerra contra la pandemia COVID-19: reflexión a la luz de la teoría de enfermería de Florence Nightingale] Revista Brasileira De Enfermagem, Suppl.Suppl 5, 73, 1-4. doi:https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0371
Gilbert, H, A. Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory and its influence on contemporary infection control. (2020). *Collegian, 27*(6), 629-633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2020.09.006
Karimi, H, Masoudi Alavi N. Florence Nightingale: The Mother of Nursing. Nurs Midwifery Stud. 2015 Jun;4(2):e29475. doi: 10.17795/nmsjournal29475. Epub 2015 Jun 27. PMID: 26339672; PMCID: PMC4557413.
Riegel, F., Crossetti, M. d. G. O., Martini, J. G., & Nes, A. A. G. (2021). Florence nightingale’s theory and her contributions to holistic critical thinking in nursing. [A teoria de Florence Nightingale e suas contribuiçoes para o pensamento crítico holístico na enfermagem La teoría de Florence Nightingale y sus contribuciones al pensamiento crítico holístico en enfermería] Revista Brasileira De Enfermagem, 74(2), 1-5. doi:https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0139
Selanders, L. (2010). The Power of Enviromental Adaptation. Florence Nightingale’s Original Theory for Nursing Practice. Journal of holistic nursing, 28(1), 81-88. https://doi.org10.1177/0898010109360257
The Nightingale Tradition. (1960). The British Medical Journal, 2(5192), 126–126. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25392034