May 18, 2016
Yesterday saw the birthday of Florence Nightingale (she would have been 196), a much loved historical figure and someone who many children learn about in school.
Florence Nightingale was a nurse who cared for soldiers in the Crimean War, saving many lives along with her team. When she first arrived at the hospitals they were a breeding ground for diseases and often made the soldiers worse – not better! So, every day she worked for 20 hours making sure the injured and sick had clean water, fresh food, clean sheets and that hospitals were a clean environment.
Fewer men were dying after her efforts and her level of care went above and beyond. She is well known as being called ‘the lady with the lamp’. This is due to her spending time at night with dying soldiers – making them her priority over her own rest. She carried a lamp and walked through the wards and wouldn’t leave until she thought everyone was comfortable.
So why is this so important to us now? Her forward way of thinking surrounding medical care has shaped and founded the way we deliver modern nursing, creating higher standards for patients. To say how brilliant she was, at first no one wanted anything to do with Florence – but her persistence pulled off, making her a significant female figure in history.
Take a look at our Florence Nightingale workshop here.
Love Naomi & the One Day Team. x