Florence Nightingale's Nursing Contributions

Florence Nightingale's Contributions

• Played a major role in reducing the death rate in the Crimean war by improving sanitation, nutrition, ventilation, and handwashing
• Provided independence for women through education and employment

Early Nursing Education and Care in the United States

• Caregiver, educator, collaborator roles were established
• Lillian Wald and Mary Brewster founded the Henry Street settlement service in NY in 1893 to provide health care to poor persons living in tenements

Nursing Theorists and Concepts

• Nursing theorists base their beliefs on common concepts concerning human relationships, the environment, and health
• Virginia Henderson's practice framework is based on 14 fundamental needs
• Dorothy Johnson's nursing theory uses seven behavioral subsystems in an adaptation model
• Sister Callista Roy's nursing theory is based on adaptation modes (physiologic, psychologic, sociologic, independence)

Nursing Practice and Education

• LPNs demonstrate evidence-based practice by using scientific information to guide decision making
• Standards of care for LPN practice are established by the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses
• LPNs must fulfill common goals defined by nursing theorists (promote wellness, prevent illness, facilitate coping, and restore health)

Healthcare Systems and Organizations

• Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) use capitated cost to finance their services and pay the physical cost of the service
• Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) were established by Medicare in 1983 to attempt to contain the costs of health care
• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) require members to see a primary care physician for a referral before seeing a specialist

Nursing Roles and Responsibilities

• LPNs deliver safe, knowledgeable care under the supervision of a registered nurse on the unit
• LPNs delegate tasks to certified nursing assistants and other healthcare workers
• Primary nursing includes characteristics such as planning and direction performed by one nurse, ancillary workers used to increase productivity, and associate nurses taking over care and planning when the primary nurse is off duty

Learn about Florence Nightingale's role in improving sanitation and healthcare practices, as well as her contributions to nursing education and independence for women.