Florence NightingaleFlorence NightingaleSeptember 29September 29thth,2005,2005

Florence and the PatientFlorence and the Patient

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

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

Patient’s needs Patient’s needs should be prioritized should be prioritized according to Maslow’s according to Maslow’s HierarchyHierarchy

Florence and the PatientFlorence and the Patient

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

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

Florence’s Theory and Florence’s Theory and HealthHealth

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

•       •       She believed that infection arose She believed that infection arose spontaneously in dirty and poorly ventilated spontaneously in dirty and poorly ventilated placesplaces

•       •       Her belief led to improvements in Her belief led to improvements in hygiene and healthier living and working hygiene and healthier living and working environmentsenvironments

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

Florence’s Theory and Florence’s Theory and HealthHealth

•     •     One of the first people to examine One of the first people to examine data on occupationaldata on occupationalhealth and safetyhealth and safety

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

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

Florence and the Florence and the EnvironmentEnvironment

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

and tidiness in and around the and tidiness in and around the homehome

Bad smells were to be Bad smells were to be considered a sign of dangerconsidered a sign of danger

Florence and the Florence and the EnvironmentEnvironment

In order for healing to In order for healing to occur, all occur, all environmental and environmental and sanitary conditions sanitary conditions must improvemust improve

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

Florence and NursingFlorence and Nursing

Florence Nightingale is the reason why Florence Nightingale is the reason why nursing is considered a profession nursing is considered a profession today and recognized that educated today and recognized that educated nurses would be viewed by the public nurses would be viewed by the public as professional.as professional.

First nursing school at St. Thomas First nursing school at St. Thomas Hospital in LondonHospital in London

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

Florence and NursingFlorence and Nursing

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

The Effect on Nursing The Effect on Nursing PracticePractice

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

Focused on a holistic caring Focused on a holistic caring perspectiveperspective

Aseptic practicesAseptic practices Nursing is a continuous learning Nursing is a continuous learning

process because new and better process because new and better practices are always being practices are always being developeddeveloped

What it is, or what it should What it is, or what it should be?be?

BOTH!BOTH! Maintaining a clean environment Maintaining a clean environment

within the healthcare setting is within the healthcare setting is essential to prevent nonsocomial essential to prevent nonsocomial infectionsinfections Gloves and other PPE, bed linens, Gloves and other PPE, bed linens,

handwashinghandwashing Keeping a clear path for fire safetyKeeping a clear path for fire safety

What it is, or what it should What it is, or what it should be?be?

However, not everyone always However, not everyone always follows the rules:follows the rules: Carts, etc. obstructing the hallwaysCarts, etc. obstructing the hallways Not everyone wears gloves when Not everyone wears gloves when

they are supposed tothey are supposed to HandwashingHandwashing

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