UNIFERO is an international organization of Romanian women and sponsored a writing contest for immigrants to the United States. The topic: Famous Women of the World. My essay won a prize, and will be published in the UNIFERO Book 2008-2009. My teacher is Mrs. Smaranda Livescu in Druid Hills High School, Decatur, Georgia. I am a winner of this contast.
Written in 05/13/09
Florence Nightingale
This earth is a unique planet filled with millions and millions of people. In this earth, we are supposed to be the most civilized social animal. It is because we are with the senses of thinking and the ability to identify right or wrong. This is why we are supposed to be superior to any other animals and we are proud of it. In this unique world we are the ruler and we dominate every living and no-living bodies of this world. Among all these, we are with some good people, who practically prove that they are a civilized human and also we have some people who cannot even prove theoretically that they can meet the quality and morality of human beings. Among all those personals who have driven out their bold and sweats for the welfare of the overall humanity, I am here going to write about the goddess for the ill people; One and only- Florence Nightingale.
Florence nightingale was born in Italy on 12 may 1820 and was named Florence after her birth place. Her parents William Edward and Frances Nightingale were a wealthy couple, who had toured Europe for 2 years on their honey moon. During their travels their first daughter was born, followed one year later by Florence. When the family returned England they derived their time between two homes. In the summer’s month they lived at Lea Hurt in Derbyshire moving to Embley in Hampshire for the winter Florence and her sister were taught at home by their father. Florence was a clever child who loved her lesson and found studying an easy task. She began to be interested in the social question of her life. She made her visits to the home of sick people in the local villages and began to investigate hospitals and nursing homes. Her parents refused to allow her to became a nurse as in the mid-nineteenth century it was not thought to be a suitable profession for a well educated women.
In traditional Victorian society, it was not easy to pursue the occupation of a nurse for Florence Nightingale. Her social status was too superior for the occupation of a nurse. In order for female nurses to be accepted in Crimea, Nightingale had to overcome male opposition. She gladly accepted the challenge. She had a sharp mind, which was at its best when confronted with problems and obstacles, which would discourage ordinary human beings. Though she forgave, she never forgot. An unusual woman for the Victorian society, she invariably won the battles she faced in her life. Nightingale was small and frail. Her feminine instincts, a sharp tongue and quick brain slayed those who dared to oppose her. Having won a point, she was generous to her opponent. Nightingale never demanded respect; she commanded it. She had strict control over her nurses. At the same time, she showed keen concern for them. After the Crimean War came to an end, she wrote copious notes demanding jobs for nurses, other than nuns and sisters. She saw to it that all nurses were settled in life.
For the advancement of nursing and hygiene, she devoted her life, and died unwed. Her life was destined to be easy and comfortable, but she abandoned the luxuries of her home and willingly embraced the hardships of the life of a nurse. Her reforms in nursing brought a major change in the attitude towards nurses. Florence was thus, an epitome of philanthropy, affection and mercy, who brightened the lives of soldiers and wounded men.
The Badge of the Nightingale Training School
Without her parents’ approval or support, she studied by working as a private nurse and attending a German school and hospital. Within ten years, she had become superintendent of the Institution for Sick Gentlewomen in Distressed Circumstances. Here, oddly enough, she learned about business management and leadership. She was able to test her own theories on how things might operate more smoothly in hospitals and for those women who were working in the field.
One year later, she was on her way to serve with her staff in the Crimean War. Infection, disease, and low morale were rampant. The support she received from the British army was insufficient to buy all the supplies she needed. Some supplies that were shipped never arrived, and the makeshift hospital sat on a sewage dumping ground. Luckily, she brought with her enough funds to buy supplies through donations from the London Times. But, before she could do anything, she knew she would have to make her presence and her goals known, and earn and the respect of the doctors and soldiers.
After her intervention and government aid, the death rate of injured British soldiers fell by 66%. Her next issue still involved the politics of her situation. She had to calm the relations that different religious sects, namely Protestant and Catholic, had against each other. When Florence Nightingale returned to London a few years later, she fought for reform in military hospitals and in the entire medical care system. In fact, most modern military hospital practices carried out in England are rooted in what Nightingale started. In an almost militaristic fashion, she was able to take over and eventually change the entire health care system for soldiers. Before anyone had really noticed what had happened, she completely revamped the War Office in Britain.
By 1860, she was the expert on military and civilian sanitation. She set up the Nightingale School for the training of nurses at St. Thomas’ Hospital and was even influential in helping England plan the best route of dealing with sanitation and famine in England. Even though Florence Nightingale suffered ill-health herself later in life and eventually went blind by 1907, she had changed the face of health care on all levels, both military and public in what would directly affect the entire western world.
"Where will you go when you die?” a Russian orphan, Peter was asked. He simply replied, "To Miss Nightingale." This incident took place during the Crimean War where one of the beneficiary of Florence Nightingale’s reforms at the military hospitals, was lucky enough to survive. Such were the shining examples of humanity, displayed by this “Lady with the Lamp” who also lit brightness in the dark and gloomy lives of soldiers at the Barracks Hospital, Scutari.
A nurse by profession, Nightingale was the first woman to receive the Order of Merit from King Edward VII in 1907. She led a benevolent life of 90 years. As per her desire, she was buried near her home at St Margaret’s East Wellow, Embley Park, and Hampshire, England.
Florence Nightingale was selfless service personified. In her, the world witnessed a human being whose desire for the service towards betterment of humanity, was ceaseless. She can be compared to a ray of light that leads a person out of a dark tunnel, into the warm sunshine of love and mercy.
Looking at all her backgrounds and her service to the people, she can be considered as the great lady in this selfish world. Without any selfishness and desires, she contributed towards humanity. It is an awesome task. No all human can do this. We all are proud that, we have such people in this world.
Although she is no more with us physically, her memories and contributions towards the humanity never go from our hand. Her name is written is golden letter in the History of humanity and social service. She is the role-model for many of us.
For us who nurse, our nursing is a thing which, unless we are making progress every year, every month, every week, take my word for it, we are going back. -- Florence Nightingale
