Florence Nightingale Inspires St. Mary Nurses
Florence Nightingale is remembered and honored throughout the world as the founder of modern nursing. As an annual recognition of her life's work and the 2.9 million U.S. nurses who continue that work today, St. Mary Medical Center joins the American Nurses Association in celebrating National Nurses Week May 6 through 12.
Florence was born in Florence, Italy, in 1820 to a wealthy European couple. Her parents chose to name her after the city in which she was born. Florence proved to be a smart, lively and sociable girl, giving her family high hopes for a good marriage. But, Florence chose her own path at an early age. In 1837, Florence said God had called her to do his work. At the time, she didn't know what that would be, but she soon became interested in hospital work – much to the disappointment of her family. Her family refused to let her train in nursing, as it wasn't considered a suitable profession for a well-educated woman during that time. She ultimately did attend three months of nurses' training in Germany, which opened many doors for her.
During the Crimean War, Florence was called upon to do her best work. The war began in March 1854, when Britain, France and Turkey declared war on Russia. The allied countries defeated Russia, but the British medical facilities for wounded soldiers took a beating in the media for their poor quality. In response to the criticism, Sidney Herbert, the Minister of War, appointed Florence to oversee the introduction of female nurses into the military hospitals in Turkey.
Florence and 38 nurses arrived in Turkey in November 1854 and were soon stretched to their limits in the battlefield hospitals. Florence's work in military hospitals was a huge success, and soon after returning from the war she was busy implementing her nursing strategies in civil hospitals throughout Britain.
Florence brought to patients and her whole profession the same values St. Mary holds dear and appreciates in its nurses:
> Hospitality > Excellence > Service > Dignity > Justice
The nurses at St. Mary touch patients with compassion and professional expertise each day. We are so thankful for the passion nurses display in the sacred work of healthcare.
