Florence NightingaleLady of the Lamp

Florence and the Patient

Nightingale believed that caring for the sick was a component of Christianity

Cures were not limited to medical acts but also acts of God

Patients’ needs should be prioritized according to Maslow’s Hierarchy

Florence and the Patient

Health Promotion occurred through providing a sanitary environment, adequate nutrition, patient comfort, and conservation of the patient’s energy.

Considered a patient to have the capability to be healthy, however, he/she did not have the power to control their unsanitary environment or poor access to essential nutrients.

Florence’s Theory and Health

Although Florence Nightingale was bedridden, she continued to campaign to improve the heath standards, publishing 200 books, reports and pamphlets.

She believed that infection arose spontaneously in dirty and poorly ventilated places.

Her belief led to improvements in hygiene and healthier living and working environments.

Florence Nightingale’s vision of health care included professional nursing for the sick and the poor.

Florence’s Theory and Health

One of the first people to examine data on occupational health and safety.

Systemic approach to health care with a major role for prevention, clean air, clean water, decent housing and good infant care.

Promoted uniform hospital statistics so that results could be comparedby country, institution and type of treatment.

Florence and the Environment

Mother’s responsibility to teach her children cleanliness in mind, body, and spirit This included waste management

and tidiness in and around the home

Bad smells were to be considered a sign of danger

Florence and the Environment

In order for healing to occur, all environmental and sanitary conditions must be improved

Ventilation/ Clean Air and light were considered key factors in hygiene

Florence and Nursing

Florence Nightingale is considered the first stepping stone to the profession today because she recognised that educated nurses would be viewed by the public as professionals.

First nursing school at St. Thomas Hospital in London

She believed that God called her to be a nurse and that He had natural laws that were to be followed

Florence and Nursing

According to Nightingale, the aims of nursing education were to train women to become nurses in order to serve society for the alleviation of the suffering of the sick, and for the amendment of the living conditions of the poor, to improve the health of the population (Nightingale 1859).

The Effect on Nursing Practice

Stressed the importance of hygiene and believed that it aided in the prevention of disease spreading

Focused on a holistic caring perspective

Aseptic practices Nursing is a continuous learning

process because new and better practices are always being developed

What it is, or what it should be?

BOTH! Maintaining a clean environment

within the healthcare setting is essential to prevent nosocomial infections Gloves and other PPE, bed linens,

handwashing Keeping a clear path for fire and

transit safety

What it is, or what it should be?

However, not everyone always follows the rules: Equipment obstructing the

hallways Not everyone wears gloves when

they are supposed to Handwashing

Florence Nightingale’s Theory has aspects that every nurse should continue to strive to achieve by maintaining healthy environments not only for their patients, but also for themselves.