The Lady with the Lamp: Florence Nightingale, Founder of Modern Nursing

Florence Nightingale, affectionately called “The Lady with the Lamp,” was an exceedingly compassionate nurse who reformed healthcare. She founded a hospital and nurse training school and wrote over 200 books and articles on health-related issues. Divinely inspired and strongly motivated, Florence Nightingale would ultimately fulfill her dream to serve humanity in her best possible way. During a conflict in 1854, British troops were faced with a lack of medical supplies, overcrowded facilities, and unsanitary conditions. Tasked by the Minister Sidney Herbert, Florence Nightingale agreed to superintend a government-sponsored team of nurses to remedy the situation. She diligently worked late into the night, carrying a lamp in the evenings as she tended to patient after patient, earning her the nickname “Lady with the Lamp.” And in six months, it was reported that the mortality rate had been decreased from 40% to a modest 2%. It was a monumental achievement. Florence Nightingale became a cultural icon.