Florence Nightingale is often called the “lady with the lamp.” She and 38 other nurses went to Turkey in 1854 to help care for the wounded soldiers that were injured while fighting in what would become known as the Crimean War. Many of the doctors at first didn’t want the nurses there, but Nightingale would not be dissuaded. Eventually her light would become a trademark for comfort. Here are some fun facts about Florence Nightingale to explore along with the legacy she left behind.
1. The First Job She Took On Was To Become a Janitor.
The hospital where Nightingale was allowed to work was dreadfully overcrowded, dirty, and contained numerous health hazards. Rats were everywhere, drains didn’t function, and the wounded soldiers were not being washed. The smell must have been horrible. Nightingale led the brigade of nurses and cleaned the entire facility.
2. She Paid For Hospital Improvements From Her Own Accounts.
Many of the wounded soldiers were dying from disease – not their injuries. Some were even eating molded bread and spoiled meat because that was the only thing available. Not only did Nightingale shop for fresh food, but she paid repairmen to clean the blocked drains. She even brought a French chef in to prepare meals, with many of the expenses coming from her pocket.
3. A Moment Of Comfort.
Because the Crimean War was so far from home, those men who were dying had no one to comfort them. Nightingale would work 140 hours per week, often making rounds in the evening to sit with those who were dying. She would write letters for those who could not do so themselves.
4. Change Is Made.
Florence Nightingale benefited from one of history’s first crowdfunding programs. People in Britain consistently gave money to the nursing staff to support their soldiers. The military instituted new training protocols for their doctors.
The hard work brought a great toll on Florence Nightingale’s body. She would live for 40 more years after returning home from the war in 1856, but rarely got out of bed. In 1907, she became the first woman to be awarded the Order of Merit and the impact she made on the world of military medicine is still felt to this day.
