How Important A Part Did Florence Nightingale Play In Improving The Training Of Nurses In The 19th Century?

Just 150 years ago nursing was not regarded as a profession. Stories about nurses in the early 19th century suggest that they often did little to help their patients recover. Most nurses were untrained and were paid less than factory workers. They slept in wards and part of their wages was gin. One of the women who changed that image of nursing was Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale was born in Italy on 12 May 1820 and was named Florence after her birthplace. She came from a Middle-class family and her parents were appalled by her intentions to go into nursing.

Although she was conscious of her calling at an early age, she found it difficult to break from her social circle and pursue a nursing career. Born to William Edward and Frances Nightingale (in Florence, Italy, hence her name) she was expected to fulfil the usual role of a wealthy young woman, making a good marriage and living a conventional life. But Florence had other ideas: as a child she enjoyed learning and devel...