Florence Nightingale as a Nurse Leader
Nightingale may have died over a century ago but her contribution to the nursing profession and leadership strategies continue to be felt. Nightingale managed to successfully overcome appalling working conditions and reduce mortality rates among patients. This was especially so during her stint at the military field health care facility (Nightingale, & Burckhardt, 2008).
Many patients were nursing wound acquired during battle. Unfortunately most were succumbing to infections occurring on the wounds. In her role as superintendent of nurse she took up the role of educating the soldiers about basic hygiene practices. She successful established her own nursing school in which she encouraged her students to focus on the overall well being of the patients.
Care of patients doe not refers to purely treatment and medication but also ensuring that the psychical, psychological and social aspects of the patients are alright. Nightingale led by example. She was always on the ground attending to patients as well. Her students were able to acquire not only theoretical knowledge but also practical. As an elaborate leader, she encouraged her students to work hard and establish their own nursing institutions (Nightingale, & Burckhardt, 2008).
Nightingale was also a leader of action. She took down notes on her experiences at work and with the patients. She utilized the statistics she acquired to mobilize action and receive assistance to overcome issues of high mortality rates and poor sanitary conditions.
As a leader, nightingale had a vision. She envisioned nursing shifting from inpatient care to outpatient and home based care. During her time that seemed like a dream but it is now a reality in this century as home based health care has taken the fore front of nursing care.
I have great admiration for Florence nightingale for her determination to change the nursing profession regardless of the numerous obstacles she faced. She identified causes to boost the nursing profession and used her power to influence great political leaders to have her issues addressed
Reference
Nightingale, F. & Burckhardt, J. (2008). Notes on Nursing. Kaplan Publishing
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