Florence Nightingale to Her Nurses:

by Florence Nightingale

This "History of Nursing Edition" by Squid Ink Classics includes the full text of the original work. This work is a primary source document that can help nursing students in their study of the history of nursing, a foundational course in all college nursing programs. Primary sources such as the ones published in this series are the raw materials of history. They are the original documents that were created at the time under study. These types of sources are accounts or interpretations of events created by nurses and others with firsthand experience such as Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, Mary Seacole, Adelaide Nutting and other nurses and professionals at the time who helped to establish the field of nursing. Examining primary sources such as those contained in this series gives students a powerful sense of history and the complexity of the past, especially as they pertain to the profession of nursing. Nursing history has been part of nursing curricula for many years. Its relevance to the education of nurses has a significant place in the curriculum and this series has been developed with these nursing students in mind. For students studying the history of nursing, primary source material such as found in this series offer entry points to many topics in the field of nursing.

Genres: Nursing, Medicine

106 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Florence Nightingale, OM, RRC was an English nurse, writer and statistician. She came to prominence during the Crimean War for her pioneering work in nursing, and was dubbed "The Lady with the Lamp" after her habit of making rounds at night to tend injured soldiers. Nightingale laid the foundation stone of professional nursing with the principles summarised in the book Notes on Nursing. The Nightingale Pledge taken by new nurses was named in her honour, and the annual International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on her birthday.

Reviews

[Carol Owens · Rating 2 out of 5]

No doubt she was committed to her cause but things sure have changed! Not too many holy handmaids left, but a lot of crackerjack brilliant practitioners. I guess she’d be proud.

[Salomé · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better and more relevant to today's nurse than her better-known "Notes on Nursing." All nurses will find Florence's advice on night shift nursing, charge nurses and management, overseeing novice nurses, nursing friendships and collegiality, setting a good example for nurses and patients, and other topics to be relevant and inspiring. Florence's deep faith is evident throughout her writings but she reminds nurses that we are not to preach or proselytize to our patients but to let our faith show through our works and our good example. The book itself is not very nicely printed (almost seems like it was run through a old copier) but the words are timeless and inspiring. I draw on this book for quotes and inspiration when I need personal or professional guidance as a nurse.