Most of us are diligent when it comes to handwashing, whether it’s after using the bathroom or before chopping veggies for dinner. Washing our hands can do wonders for sanitization, getting rid of all those pesky germs and bacteria and preventing them from spreading to surfaces and other people. 

Funny thing, though—it wasn’t always like that, and most certainly not in the medical world. Believe it or not, we can thank Florence Nightingale for making it commonplace to wash hands before interacting with a patient, saving numerous lives of wounded British soldiers—and countless others in the years since. 

Nightingale is just one of many esteemed nurses who’ve shaped the world of nursing as we know it today. Join us as we celebrate three nurses famous for their contributions to the science of nursing. 

#1 Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) 

Named after the city she was born in, Florence came from an affluent family who anticipated her following the traditional path of marriage and family life, in line with societal expectations. Much to their surprise, she conveyed that she felt a calling from God to assist the poor and sick. Despite her parents’ initial reluctance, they eventually supported her calling and sent her to study at Pastor Theodore Fliedner’s hospital for Lutheran Deaconesses. 

She continued her training for years before joining a group of nurses to treat British soldiers who had been fighting in the Crimean War in 1854. Nightingale immediately took note of the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at the camp and switched into nurse mode, bringing nutritious food and sanitary measures to the military hospital. She introduced the concept of washing hands with soap and water before working with patients and saved many soldiers’ lives, decreasing the death rate from 40% to 2% because of her team’s hard work. 

Nightingale made several other contributions to modern medicine, including: 

  • Spreading safer medical practices at the Army Medical College in Chatham. 
  • Publishing a book called Notes on Nursing: What it is, and What it is Not. 
  • Becoming a pioneer in statistics, using her data to create pie charts documenting the causes of soldiers’ deaths during two years of war in Crimea. 

#2 Dorothea Dix (1802-1887) 

Dorothea Dix made a profound impact on healthcare through her efforts to substantially enhance conditions within institutions that cared for the mentally ill. Born in 1802, she relocated to Boston at the age of 12 to live with her grandmother, engaging in formal education and later founding several schools with a curriculum of her own design. As she matured, recurring bouts of illness inspired her to undertake a journey to England with friends. 

While in England, Dix encountered a group of reformers dedicated to changing how society treated and cared for the mentally ill. Upon her return to the United States, she toured numerous mental health hospitals, meticulously documenting the deplorable conditions, including floggings, starvation, physical and sexual abuse by caretakers, and inadequate sanitation. 

Presenting her findings to the Massachusetts legislature, she urged a significant overhaul of the institutions. The legislature responded by allocating resources for the expansion and improvement of the state mental hospital. Dix continued her advocacy, achieving similar successes in Rhode Island, New York, and various European countries. 

#3 Mary Seacole (1805-1881) 

Like Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole played a crucial role in providing vital care to wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. Born in Jamaica to a British Army officer father and a well-known Jamaican ‘doctress’ mother, Seacole studied reading, writing, and the healing arts of Jamaican medicine at a young age. 

Balancing her training in traditional Caribbean herbal medicine, Seacole also learned about European medicine during a year-long visit to relatives in England at the age of 15. In 1853, having previously treated patients during a cholera outbreak in Panama, she learned about the conflict in Crimea. While in England a year later, she saw advertisements in need of hospital nurses in Crimea. 

Officials initially rejected her, discriminating based Seacole’s skin color and citing all positions as filled. Undeterred, in 1855, she and a relative of her deceased husband opened the British Hotel, a haven for soldiers to recover. Despite adversity, Seacole often tended to wounded soldiers on the battlefield, earning the nickname “Mother Seacole” for her compassion and dedication to her patients. 

Make History and Unlock Your Potential with UTPB’s Online RN to BSN Program 

Are you ready to take your nursing career to new heights and become a nurse known for making lasting contributions to the healthcare industry? Elevate your skills and impact by advancing from an RN to a BSN, opening doors to leadership roles and a heightened level of patient care. 

Explore UTPB’s 30-credit online RN to BSN program, designed to help students achieve a healthy work/life balance. In our virtual classroom, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of evolving challenges in nursing, the intricacies of organizational culture, and the importance of patient-centered care. Our practical approach ensures you’ll have the ultimate skills needed to advance your career. 

Seize the opportunity to join a program that aligns with your career goals and gain the expertise to become a nursing leader who drives positive change. Apply to UTPB’s online RN to BSN program and embark on a journey of professional growth and enhanced patient care. 

Sources: 
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/florence-nightingale  
https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/florence-nightingale-pioneer-statistician  
https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/dorothea-lynde-dix