THE NURSING THEORIST FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE



THE NURSING THEORIST FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

Introduction

The importance of theory in nursing practice has led to the treatment of the subject. The first theoretical nursing, Florence Nightingale, was able to apply her knowledge of history and philosophy to the study of reality, particularly that part of reality that became the center of her life: the health care of people. Her work aims to analyze the logic of thought of the founder of professional nursing and the philosophical, epistemological and ethical both of her theory, based on the analysis of socio-cultural historical context itself which developed her historical personality. Her analysis became the secondary sources of the latest theorists, who have developed their own theories and models from the logic of thought Nightingale. Even if it could be argued that the Nightingale nursing theory is poor, seen in the light of current scientific and technical development, we cannot ignore that this theory has served as a starting point to develop each and every one of the current nursing theories but above all, deserves the profound gratitude of being the pioneer of scientific thought and ethics in nursing.

Discussion

Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale is considered a pioneer in the practice of nursing. She is considered the mother of modern nursing and creator of the first conceptual model of nursing. She was born on May 12, 1820. During her childhood, she took classes in mathematics, language, religion and philosophy, which later influenced the development of nursing theory. During the Crimean War, Florence received a request by Sidney Herbert to go to Scutari, Turkey, to provide nursing care to wounded British soldiers accompanied by 34 nurses recently recruited. She tried to solve the problem of lack of hygiene and dirt during her mission. Florence Nightingale continued to work until she was 80 and died on August 13, 1910 at the age of 90 years. Her experience while working at the war greatly influenced her philosophy of nursing. She formulated her ideas through years of charitable work in military hospitals.

Importance of the theory

The value of a theory is not measured only by its scope, which can be very broad or very narrow, but the scientific rigor that has been used in its construction. It is precisely the importance of theory which has led to the treatment of the subject, related to the first theory in nursing, Florence Nightingale, who was able to apply her ...