Advanced Nursing Practice Essay
Introduction and Background
Florence Nightingale was a British nurse born in a wealthy family in Italy. The nurse dedicated her life to serving humanity. She served as a nurse during the Crimean war, where she helped injured soldiers to recover. The nurse promoted cleanliness and hygiene within hospitals to facilitate faster recovery of wounded soldiers. She provided nutritious food to patients in the hospital to improve their health (Shetty, 2016). The nurse leader believed to have a calling from God to serve and enhance the welfare of patients. Her devotion to caring for people was manifested when she visited injured soldiers at night with a lamp. As a result, she was referred to as the woman with the lamp by soldiers. Florence Nightingale made significant contributions to the nursing profession.
Contributions to the Nursing Profession
Florence Nightingale used her nursing experience in the Crimean war to pioneer the nursing profession. Her contribution to education was first observed in London, where she established Nightingale’s Nurse Training School to provide practical training for nurses (Frello & Carraro, 2013). She transformed the nursing profession through education into a valuable and respectable career that targeted women. The nurse leader was also instrumental in empowering women to pursue the nursing profession.
Florence envisioned nursing as a profession that promotes individuals’ health by preventing diseases through environmental factors. She introduced the environmental theory that is being used to advance healthcare today. Her approach has led to prioritized sanitation in public health for preventative care (Shetty, 2016). She was instrumental in fostering compassionate and holistic nursing care. She also, participated in advocacy for the less privileged through efforts to maintain sufficient medical supplies and improve living conditions. Furthermore, the nurse leader contributed to nursing research to improve health outcomes and the nursing profession.
Florence Nightingale’s Beliefs as A Source of Motivation to Become a Nursing Professional
Florence Nightingale’s beliefs in nursing can motivate a person to pursue the nursing profession. She believed that nursing is a spiritual calling to serve others with humility (Shetty, 2016). Thus, people can be motivated by the calling to help others to find joy and satisfaction. For instance, individuals can be inspired by the caring nature of nurses to embrace the pleasure of addressing the needs of others through holistic care. They can develop a strong desire to show love and empathy for others. Her belief about God’s calling to serve the less privileged motivates people to pursue nursing to become critical advocates for the minority.
The Reason Why I Have Chosen to Be a Nurse and Similarity with Florence Nightingale
I have decided to be a nurse to serve humanity. I love caring for people in need by showing compassion and empathy. I believe that the nursing profession is a calling to help people achieve better health outcomes. I want to alleviate the pain and suffering that patients and their families experience during sickness. Thus, I am devoted to restoring people’s hope in hospitals during my nursing practice to transform lives. I would also like to participate in active advocacy for the less privileged persons. My decision to join the nursing profession is similar to the critical values shared by Florence Nightingale. I am committed to serving humanity through compassionate care (Frello & Carraro, 2013). I perceive nursing as a spiritual calling to address the needs of the less fortunate, as postulated by Nightingale.
References
Frello, A. T., & Carraro, T. E. (2013). Florence Nightingale’s contributions: an integrative review of the literature. Esc Anna Nery, 17(3), 573-579.
Shetty, A. P. (2016). Florence Nightingale: The queen of nurses. Archives of Medicine and Health Sciences, 4(1), 144.
