Nurse Day: a little history

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

International Nurses Day is celebrated differently in different countries. In some countries of the world, they begin to celebrate it already in early May, for example, in the USA, where professional conferences and celebrations begin on May 6th. In other countries, there is no strictly dedicated day for this celebration at all, however, it is mainly celebrated on May 12th. For the first time the idea of the holiday was announced in 1953, however, the first time Nurse's Day was celebrated as much as 12 years later. May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of the Mercy Service during the Crimean War. It was this woman who became the hero of the occasion.

A bit of history…

Florence Nightingale was an English aristocrat who received an education only available to men. The terrible events of the Crimean War deeply touched Florence, and she decided to use her extraordinary abilities for good. Since the wounded soldiers needed constant care, the woman gathered a group of nurses who went to field hospitals in the Crimea. Althoughsurgeons were skeptical about this venture, the woman did not stop at nothing.

Even before the war, Florence spoke of her desire to create her own sisterhood, showing a great interest in caring for sick people. Nightingale wanted to change the stereotype of female nurses who were usually either drunkards or prostitutes.

During the war, a nurse increased the number of wards in hospitals so that the wounded were less crowded and more comfortable. She went around them even at night, every day. The nurses and nurses who worked with her also worked tirelessly. Grateful wounded soldiers always spoke very warmly about the woman who helped them survive. According to available data, the death rate during the war was reduced tenfold! In addition to routine medical care, Nightingale organized laundries and kitchens, set up reading rooms, and helped write letters to relatives. Before leaving for her homeland, the nurse put a white marble cross on all the medical workers who died in the Crimean War.

In England, Florence Nightingale became the head army nurse. All medical personnel received special training. Why is Nurse's Day celebrated on Florence's birthday? It was thanks to her that medicine began to take disease prevention more seriously, and if earlier it was in the hands of surgeons, since then nurses have received new rights and recognition. Florence became the first medical professional to describe the impact of the environment on he alth,laying the foundation for ecology. Monument to Florence Nightingale in Florence. In addition, the highest award given annually to nurses around the world for more than a hundred years is named after this woman. The award is presented annually on Nurse's Day, May 12.

Today, many believe that the nurse plays a not very important role, and the qualifications of such employees are being questioned. In fact, this opinion is erroneous. In the world there are a huge number of different organizations that are engaged in research and improvement of nursing. Currently, nurses are trained in many educational institutions, and for good reason, because a nurse is a person to whom patients owe their he alth and life. In various hospitals around the world, employees celebrate the day of the nurse with joy and pleasure. The holiday scenario can take a variety of forms, from conferences and meetings to outdoor recreation or travel abroad.