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75 Powerful Florence Nightingale Quotes On Nursing, Life & More

Famous As: Social Reformer & Founder of Modern Nursing and Known as 'The Lady with the Lamp'
Born On: 1820
Died On: 1910
Born In: Florence, Italy
Founder / Co Founder: Modern nursing
Died At Age: 90

Popularly known as ‘the lady with the lamps’ by one and all, Florence Nightingale is the mother of modern nursing. She was an active social reformer from England. Nightingale received the tag due her dedicated efforts to tend the wounded soldiers during the Crimean War, thus becoming an icon during the Victorian Era. There is a school of thought which believed that due to the dire necessity of a heroic public figure during the Victorian Era, her feats during the Crimean War had been glorified by the media. However, her role in professionalization of nursing in healthcare for women has never been questioned. She established the first secular nursing school in the world at St Thomas' Hospital in London which is now part of King's College London. This pioneer in modern nursing went on to receive honorable accolades such as Royal Red Cross, Lady of Grace of the Order of St John and Order of Merit. ‘The Florence Nightingale Medal’, the highest international honor in the field of nursing, was named after Nightingale as a tribute for her outstanding contribution in the medical discipline. Let us go through some of the famous quotes highlighting her thoughts and sayings.

I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.

I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.

Florence Nightingale
I attribute my success to this - I never gave or took any
excuse.

I attribute my success to this - I never gave or took any excuse.

Florence Nightingale
Rather, ten times, die in the surf, heralding the way to a new world, than stand idly on the shore.

Rather, ten times, die in the surf, heralding the way to a new world, than stand idly on the shore.

Florence Nightingale
You ask me why I do not write something.... I think one's feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into actions and into actions which bring results.

You ask me why I do not write something.... I think one's feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into actions and into actions which bring results.

Florence Nightingale
The very first requirement in a hospital is that it should do the sick no harm.

The very first requirement in a hospital is that it should do the sick no harm.

Florence Nightingale
Live life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift-there is nothing small about it.

Live life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift-there is nothing small about it.

Florence Nightingale
Let whoever is in charge keep this simple question in her head (not, how can I always do this right thing myself, but) how can I provide for this right thing to be always done?

Let whoever is in charge keep this simple question in her head (not, how can I always do this right thing myself, but) how can I provide for this right thing to be always done?

Florence Nightingale
Were there none who were discontented with what they have, the world would never reach anything better.

Were there none who were discontented with what they have, the world would never reach anything better.

Florence Nightingale
To understand God's thoughts we must study statistics, for these are the measure of his purpose.

To understand God's thoughts we must study statistics, for these are the measure of his purpose.

Florence Nightingale
Nursing is a progressive art such that to stand still is to go backwards.

Nursing is a progressive art such that to stand still is to go backwards.

Florence Nightingale
Nature alone cures. ... what nursing has to do ... is to put the patient in the best condition for nature to act upon him.

Nature alone cures. ... what nursing has to do ... is to put the patient in the best condition for nature to act upon him.

Florence Nightingale
It may seem a strange principle to enunciate as the very first requirement in a Hospital that it should do the sick no harm. It is quite necessary nevertheless to lay down such a principle ...

It may seem a strange principle to enunciate as the very first requirement in a Hospital that it should do the sick no harm. It is quite necessary nevertheless to lay down such a principle ...

Florence Nightingale
Woman has nothing but her affections,--and this makes her at once more loving and less loved.

Woman has nothing but her affections,--and this makes her at once more loving and less loved.

Florence Nightingale
So never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself.

So never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself.

Florence Nightingale
Unless we are making progress in our nursing every year, every month, every week, take my word for it we are going back.

Unless we are making progress in our nursing every year, every month, every week, take my word for it we are going back.

Florence Nightingale
Every nurse ought to be careful to wash her hands very frequently during the day. If her face, too, so much the better.

Every nurse ought to be careful to wash her hands very frequently during the day. If her face, too, so much the better.

Florence Nightingale
What cruel mistakes are sometimes made by benevolent men and women in matters of business about which they can know nothing and think they know a great deal.

What cruel mistakes are sometimes made by benevolent men and women in matters of business about which they can know nothing and think they know a great deal.

Florence Nightingale

I use the word nursing for want of a better. It has been limited to signify little more than the administration of medicines and the application of poultices. It ought to signify the proper use of fresh air, light, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and the proper selection and administration of diet-all at the least expense of vital power to the patient.

Florence Nightingale

The most important practical lesson that can be given to nurses is to teach them what to observe - how to observe - what symptoms indicate improvement - what the reverse - which are of importance - which are of none - which are the evidence of neglect - and of what kind of neglect.

Florence Nightingale
Apprehension, uncertainty, waiting, expectation, fear of surprise, do a patient more harm than any exertion.

Apprehension, uncertainty, waiting, expectation, fear of surprise, do a patient more harm than any exertion.

Florence Nightingale
Remember my name-- you'll be screaming it later.

Remember my name-- you'll be screaming it later.

Florence Nightingale
The most important practical lesson than can be given to nurses is to teach them what to observe.

The most important practical lesson than can be given to nurses is to teach them what to observe.

Florence Nightingale

Life is a hard fight, a struggle, a wrestling with the principle of evil, hand to hand, foot to foot. Every inch of the way is disputed. The night is given us to take breath, to pray, to drink deep at the fountain of power. The day, to use the strength which has been given us, to go forth to work with it till the evening.

Florence Nightingale
For the sick it is important to have the best.

For the sick it is important to have the best.

Florence Nightingale
If a patient is cold, if a patient is feverish, if a patient is faint, if he is sick after taking food, if he has a bed-sore, it is generally the fault not of the disease, but of the nursing.

If a patient is cold, if a patient is feverish, if a patient is faint, if he is sick after taking food, if he has a bed-sore, it is generally the fault not of the disease, but of the nursing.

Florence Nightingale
Our first journey is to find that special place for us.

Our first journey is to find that special place for us.

Florence Nightingale

Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation as any painter's or sculptor's work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or dead marble, compared with having to do with the living body, the temple of God's spirit? It is one of the Fine Arts: I had almost said, the finest of Fine Arts.

Florence Nightingale
Volumes are now written and spoken upon the effect of the mind upon the body. Much of it is true. But I wish a little more was thought of the effect of the body on the mind.

Volumes are now written and spoken upon the effect of the mind upon the body. Much of it is true. But I wish a little more was thought of the effect of the body on the mind.

Florence Nightingale
Unnecessary noise is the most cruel abuse of care which can be inflicted on either the sick or the well.

Unnecessary noise is the most cruel abuse of care which can be inflicted on either the sick or the well.

Florence Nightingale
Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation as any painter's or sculptor's work.

Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation as any painter's or sculptor's work.

Florence Nightingale