History of Modern Nursing: Florence Nightingale

Study Notes

Florence Nightingale is recognized as the founder of modern nursing, emphasizing education and professionalism in nursing practice.
Established the first nursing school in the mid-19th century, following the Middle Ages, to formalize nursing education.
Nightingale's nursing philosophy considered caregiving a moral calling, rooted in her religious experiences at age 16, prompting her dedication to the sick despite her affluent background.
During the Crimean War, Nightingale led 38 nurses to improve medical conditions for British soldiers, significantly reducing the mortality rate from 32% to 2% through better sanitation and care.

Authored influential texts such as "Notes on Nursing" (1859) and "Nurses Guide" (1835), highlighting best practices in patient care.
Founded Nightingale Training School for Nurses in 1860, which was associated with St. Thomas Hospital in London, aimed at elevating nursing as a respected profession.
Advocated for the registration and professionalization of nurses for health care integrity.

The first professional nursing organization in the Philippines was set up by Anastacia Giron Tupas, the first distinguished Filipina nurse, in 1922 with 150 nurses.
Key nursing schools established included:
- Iloilo Mission Hospital School of Nursing (1906)
- St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing (1907)
- Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing (1907)
- St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing, Quezon City (1907)

The Catholic Church founded some of the world’s oldest hospitals, with St. Fabiola, a 5th-century noblewoman, establishing the first hospital in the Western Roman Empire in Rome around 400 AD.
St. Bart’s Hospital is notable within the historical landscape of nursing and hospital establishment.

The Act of 2493 was passed in 1915 to standardize nursing practices in the Philippines, aiming to enhance the professional status of nurses in healthcare systems.

Historically, nurses faced societal stigma and were treated poorly, often viewed as "wayward" or having committed crimes, reflecting cultural biases against caregiving roles.