Similarities Between Florence Nightingale And Catherine ✓ Solved
Essay3similarities Between Florence Nightingale And Catherine
People have been raised with hearing “to be successful is to be respected.” In this competitive society, everyone wants to be something that society adores and respects the most. Some aspire to become engineers, doctors, businessmen, or artists, while others prefer to pursue nursing, a profession that has historically been less desired.
In the present world, nursing is considered the heart of healthcare. Historical records often praise doctors in the medical field, while credit given to nursing staff is rarer (Boyd & Dancer, 2012). Many philanthropists are associated with nursing or related disciplines. This essay will discuss the similarities between Florence Nightingale and Catherine McAuley, two influential figures in healthcare.
Florence Nightingale was a British social reformer and nurse known as “The Lady with the Lamp.” She established the Nightingale Training School and St. Thomas Hospital (Godden, 2008). Conversely, Catherine McAuley was an Irish Catholic laywoman known for dedicating her resources to aid the poorer segments of society.
Both women significantly impacted the nursing profession through their shared determination and passion. Nightingale and McAuley exhibited qualities such as selfless service, compassion towards the needy, and tireless dedication to their goals, which helped promote nursing as a noble profession.
Another similarity lies in their foundational contributions; McAuley established fourteen foundations for the less fortunate, while Nightingale’s training hospital remains iconic. Both women chose to remain unmarried to serve others, with Catherine sacrificing personal family life to serve as a nun and Florence devoting herself entirely to nursing.
Despite coming from wealthy backgrounds, both women rejected the luxuries of privileged lives to support the underprivileged. During the Victorian era, upper-class women typically did not work. Nevertheless, Nightingale chose nursing at age 16, believing that “God is calling me to do something important for His creation.” Instead of pursuing a traditional marriage, she committed herself to healthcare. Similarly, Catherine spent her inheritance on assisting poor women oppressed by their masters.
Their courage and perseverance stand out as one of the most important similarities. McAuley faced significant obstacles to achieve her goals, undertaking arduous journeys to establish convents (McNally, 2005). In a parallel struggle, during the Crimean War, Nightingale worked as the sole female nurse caring for wounded soldiers, exemplifying unparalleled bravery.
In conclusion, both Florence Nightingale and Catherine McAuley left enduring legacies through their remarkable contributions to humanity and will always be remembered for their selfless service.
References
- Boyd, D., & Dancer, S. (2012). Explore nursing abroad!. Nursing, 42, 14-16.
- Godden, J. (2008). Florence Nightingale on Women, Medicine, Midwifery and Prostitution. Florence Nightingale On Health In India, 9(2).
- McNally, V. (2005). The Correspondence of Catherine McAuley, (review). The Catholic Historical Review, 91(4).