International Nurses Day: Learn the story of a nurse called 'Lady with Lamp'

New delhi date. 12 May 2020, Tuesday

Health workers and especially nurses have played a major role in the ongoing coronary crisis in the country and the world. The year 2020 is being celebrated as the International Year of the Nurse, since Florence Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820, 200 years ago. Today is International Nurses' Day in her memory. The soldiers called Florence Nightingale 'Lady with Lamp'.

The world still remembers Florence's contribution to the field of nursing and service. Addressing the countrymen during the Mann Ki Baat program, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled Florence Nightingale and said that the Corona crisis is a test time for the nursing community around the world and nurses around the world will succeed in this test. Find out about Florence Nightingale, who set an example in the field of nursing on International Nurses Day

Born on 12 May 1820 in Florence, Italy to William Nightingale and Fanny, Florence Nightingale studied in England. Florence, from a wealthy family, felt from the age of 16 that she was born to serve. Florence's dream was to become a nurse who studied mathematics, science and history, she wanted to help the sick, the poor and the victims.

Wealthy father William was against Florence's desire to become a nurse, as nursing was not respected as a profession at the time. The hospital was also bad and the death of the patient seemed scary. Florence persevered in her service and began studying nursing in 1851. In 1853 she opened a hospital for women in London.

When the Crimean War broke out in 1854, British troops were sent to fight in Crimea, south of Russia. The battles of Britain, France and Turkey were against Russia. Florence arrived with nurses when it was reported that soldiers had been killed and wounded in battle. The situation was very serious. In the midst of inconveniences such as dirt, odors, lack of equipment, bed, drinking water, etc., the disease spread rapidly and soldiers began to die from the transition. Florence began to focus on improving the condition of the hospital as well as bathing, eating, and dressing the wounds. The situation of the soldiers began to improve a lot.

During the war, Florence Nightingale, known as the "Lady with the Lamp", treated wounded and sick soldiers day and night. At night when everyone was asleep, she would go to the soldiers and see if they had any problem. She was in the service so that the soldier could sleep comfortably. Florence also wrote and sent letters from the soldiers to their families. At night she would go to see the patients with a lantern in her hand and for this reason the soldiers started calling her 'Lady with Lamp' with respect and love. When she returned from the war in 1856, her name became famous as 'Lady with Lamp'.

After her service work was published in the newspaper, Queen Victoria wrote a letter thanking Florence. He was also visited by Queen Victoria in September 1856 of the same year and, after discussions, made sweeping reforms to the military medical system. The army began training doctors. The hospital began to pay attention to the sanitation system. The soldiers were provided with proper food, clothing and medical treatment.

The Nightingale Training School for Nurses was opened in 1860 at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, where nurses were well trained. Florence’s service spirit was such that nursing began to find a place as an honorable career for women willing to work outside the home.

Florence Nightingale died on August 13, 1919. In her honor, World Nursing Day was celebrated on her birthday. On the occasion of Nursing Day, nurses who have made special contributions in this field are honored with the Florence Nightingale Prize.