The Heart of Nursing — National Nurses Week

Pandemic Healthcare

The healthcare profession, with nursing at its center, has been leading the charge in the care of COVID-19 patients. Each year, we celebrate National Nurses Week, May 6 – 12, in honor of its modern-day founder, Florence Nightingale, who was born May 12, 1820. Ironically, the critical nature of this pandemic has highlighted Florence’s foundational principles. This year’s National Nurses Week theme is Compassion, Expertise, Trust — celebrating three professional qualities essential during this crucial time in healthcare.

The Foundation of Nursing

Florence was born into a wealthy family and felt called by God to care for others. Her father, a mathematician, educated her. Foregoing the societal expectation of wealthy women, Florence chose her own life path. She was educated at the Lutheran religious community at Kaiserswerth-am-Rhein in Germany. Returning to work at a London hospital, Florence became a highly respected nursing leader.

Called to Serve

The British government asked Florence to educate, lead and supervise a group of nurses to care for wounded British soldiers suffering a high death rate during the Crimean War. Florence arrived to find wounded soldiers receiving care amid squalor. Her initial response was to bathe her patients and provide a clean environment for care. She initiated strict handwashing, hygienic and sanitary procedures. Many lives were saved, and Florence, making nightly rounds to check on soldiers, became known as the “Lady with the Lamp.” Her protocols and education and clinical guidelines were foundational in the practice of modern nursing.

A Lifetime of Commitment

Florence’s book, Notes on Nursing, published in 1859 defined guidelines for the fundamentals of nursing. A year later, she established the first nursing school in London, teaching clinical principles that were later adopted by the United States and countries around the world. They continue to be a quality standard in nursing education. Long hours of hard work during the war had a profound impact on Florence’s health. Physically, she contracted a low-level infection that rendered her bedbound for long periods throughout the rest of her life. Emotionally, she suffered from depression. And yet, Florence continued to pursue excellence. She was a prolific writer, nursing leader and administrator.

Nursing Experience and Expertise

Florence believed that all women needed to understand the basic nursing principles of hygiene, cleanliness, and a healthy environment. Good health, she believed, was grounded in the divine power of nature. Preventing disease was at the center of caring for others. As an administrator, research and data collection were essential. Florence said: “To understand God’s thoughts we must study statistics, for these are the measure of his purpose.”

The Art and Science of Nursing

Florence’s adherence to the importance of good hygiene remains essential in healthcare. Reflecting on the themes of National Nurses Week this year, we celebrate the individuals who have a deep commitment to compassion, especially during this extraordinary time when families are not able to be present with loved ones. This pandemic has also created opportunities for collaboration among diverse entities to continue to advance nursing expertise. Business, scientists, pharmacists, doctors, psychologists, manufacturers and community activists have created partnerships to think outside of the norm. This innovation has improved nursing excellence and continued to impact quality outcomes.

Given the fast-paced, changing times in healthcare, nurses are called to maintain a deep sense of trust. They must rely in the members of their team and their administration. And, they must maintain trust in the ultimate power of the greater good. Florence wrote in Notes on Nursing: “Let whoever is in charge keep this simple question in her head (not how can I always do this right thing myself, but) how can I provide for this right thing to be always done?”

Please take a few moments this week to thank nurses across the continuum. Their compassionate care touches the lives of patients and their families in hospitals, homes and long-term care communities, extending across this nation and around the world.