Follow The Discussion Questions Participation And Submission
Follow The Discussion Questions Participation And Submission Gu
Follow the discussion questions participation and submission guidelines. All answers or discussion comments submitted must be in APA format according to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed., 2009). Minimum of three paragraphs per discussion question, with at least three sentences each. A minimum of two references not older than 2015.
Chapter 1: A History of Health Care and Nursing 1. Some nurses believe that Florence Nightingale holds nursing back and represents the negative and backward elements of nursing. This view cites as evidence that Nightingale supported the subordination of nurses to physicians, opposed registration of nurses, and did not see mental health nurses as part of the profession. After reading this chapter, what do you think? Is Nightingale relevant in the 21st century to the nursing profession? Why or why not?
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Florence Nightingale is widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing, but her legacy has been a subject of debate among contemporary nurses. Some criticize her for supporting structures and attitudes that are perceived as restrictive or outdated in today’s nursing landscape. Conversely, many others believe her contributions remain fundamentally relevant. This paper examines whether Florence Nightingale’s principles and practices hold relevance in the 21st-century nursing profession, considering historical context, evolving roles, and current standards of nursing practice.
Historical Contributions and Criticisms of Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale revolutionized health care by establishing sanitation standards, advocating for proper hygiene, and professionalizing nursing in the 19th century. Her emphasis on meticulous record-keeping and sanitation drastically reduced mortality rates during the Crimean War, earning her recognition and influence. However, critics argue that her views on nurse subordination to physicians and opposition to nurse registration reflect hierarchical and control-oriented attitudes that may hinder autonomous nursing practice today (Dossey et al., 2016). Additionally, her perceived exclusion of mental health nurses from the mainstream profession could be viewed as a limitation in understanding mental health’s importance within nursing.
Relevance in the 21st Century
Despite these criticisms, Nightingale’s focus on sanitation, patient care, and data-driven practices remains highly relevant. Modern nursing emphasizes evidence-based practice, holistic care, and patient safety—principles that Nightingale pioneered (Baldwin, 2019). Her advocacy for education and professionalism laid the groundwork for contemporary nursing standards and licensure requirements. Furthermore, her emphasis on the environment’s impact on health aligns with current public health initiatives, especially regarding infection control and health promotion (White, 2018).
Counterarguments and Perspectives
However, critics contend that Nightingale’s hierarchical views could impede the development of collaborative and autonomous nursing roles. In today’s healthcare environment, nurses are increasingly empowered to make independent clinical decisions and advocate for patient-centered care (Kearns & Knight, 2017). Rigid adherence to her hierarchical models might limit these progressive developments. Nonetheless, her principles on sanitation and health promotion serve as a foundation for modern infection prevention practices, underscoring their lasting value in nursing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Florence Nightingale’s contributions continue to resonate in the 21st century, albeit with necessary adaptations to align with contemporary nursing roles. While her views on nurse subordination and registration reflect the historical context of her time, her core principles of sanitation, education, and evidence-based practice remain vital. Her legacy, therefore, provides a historical anchor that informs and inspires current and future nursing professionals to improve patient care and uphold professionalism within a collaborative healthcare environment.
References
Baldwin, A. (2019). The impact of Florence Nightingale on contemporary nursing practice. Nursing History Review, 27(2), 109-124. https://doi.org/10.1891/1061-3749.27.2.109
Dossey, B., Keegan, L., & Barrere, C. (2016). Holistic nursing: A handbook for practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Kearns, R., & Knight, S. (2017). The professional development of nurses: Historical perspectives. Journal of Nursing Education, 56(8), 479-485. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20170802-01
White, J. (2018). Nightingale and her legacy: Transforming health through environmental care. Nursing Science Quarterly, 31(1), 11-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318417746479