Running Head: SCHOLARLY PAPER

Scholarly Paper
Cheryse Jackson
NURS 530 Curriculum Development in Nursing Education
November 28, 2014

Running Head: SCHOLARLY PAPER

2
Scholarly paper

Nursing education
During the Victorian Era, Florence Nightingale became the inspiration for nursing
education, although very little was thought about nursing as a career choice (Victorian Era
England [VEE], 2014). Teaching nursing during this era was not done in formal institutions, but
in fact, was taught by Florence Nightingale (National Womens History Museum [NWHM],
2014; VEE, 2014). Nightingales teaching during this time was focused on improving sanitary
conditions for the soldiers during the Crimean War, realizing that the death tolls were extremely
high because of poor livings and ventilation (NWHM, 2014; VEE, 2014). Nursing education for
this era was centered around Nightingales teachings on sanitary reform, which took the death
toll from 42% all the way down to an outstanding 2% (NWHM, 2014). Florence Nightingale
also set up a school specifically geared to teach proper sanitation practices to all that would care
to venture into nursing (NWHM, 2014).
Educators training and responsibility
Florence Nightingale had a very basic nursing training in Kaiserswerth, but studied
abroad at various hospitals, learning through observation and practical involvement (Egenes,
2001). Nightingale felt it her responsibility to educate not only the women she took with her to
help out during the Crimean War, but she felt compelled to share her God-inspired knowledge
and gift of nursing on an even larger scale for those who wanted to partake in this upcoming
profession (NWHM, 2014; VEE, 2014). She believed in better conditions to achieve better
health and seemed to be very passionate for this outcome. During the war, in addition to
educating the women, she believed it her duty to compile information to give to the Sanitary
Commission to show how unacceptable living quarters hindered health progress, in order for

Running Head: SCHOLARLY PAPER

them to clean out the sewers and provide ventilation to provide a better outcome for the soldiers
(NWHM, 2014; VEE, 2014). This became the beginning of evidenced-based nursing care.
Nightingale set high standards for this era, and for many to follow, of the nurse educators
responsibility to share their knowledge and contribute to the overall improvement of the human
race through evidence-based practice.
Social/political themes
Egenes (2001), talked of how the Crimean War served as a catalyst for the nursing era to
begin. It was then that Nightingale put into practice, her theories for the nursing profession.
Evidence-based care proved to be effective during her time serving as a nurse in this war, and
became the basis on which nursing stands today. Not even a decade later, the Civil war erupted
and forever changed societys view of nursing practice. The women that volunteered and served
as nurses during the civil war, not only changed societys thoughts about the female role, but
also began to think differently about their roles solely as caretakers of the home. Even though
the women had no nursing skill before they went to help in the Civil War, they gained valuable
experience just from being there. They wanted to advance their skills in the nursing field and
participate in a higher level of training which seemed to serve a higher purpose (Egenes, 2001).
Egenes (2001), also went on to say that some of the same women that aided the Civil War
soldiers, helped to establish nursing training facilities to educate others around the United States.
Florence Nightingale was successful with doing the same thing as well, as she opened the
Nightingales School of Nursing within St. Thomas Hospital. This institution specialized in
blending didactic courses with clinical courses, along with curriculum throughout the hospital, in

Running Head: SCHOLARLY PAPER

effort to gain a full educational experience. This paved the way for other nursing schools
(Egenes, 2001).
Nursing education emphasis
During the Victorian era, the points of emphasis in nursing education, were making a
positive change for health conditions, through obtaining new nursing knowledge and the use of
data and statistics to prove that a particular practice would be better over another (Natural Health
Perspective [NHP], 2014; Kudzma, 2006). It was imperative as well as beneficial to society that
Nightingale educated the community with her nursing knowledge. However simplistic the
teachings began, with simple sanitation techniques, it was an essential beginning and proper
foundation for nursing practices. Also, Kudzma (2006), discussed how Nightingale believed that
in order for reform to take root, there had to be some way to present the evidence as proof.
Although statistical analyzing of data was not a widely accepted concept during that era,
Nightingale helped to establish a tool by which to measure nursing outcomes (Kudzma, 2006).
Implications in Nursing Practice
The Victorian era gave birth to nursing practice and opportunities for its advancement.
The nursing profession was ignited through the heroism and dedication of Florence Nightingale
(NHP, 2014; VEE, 2014; NWHM, 2014; Egenes, 2001). Nursing, a once frowned upon concept,
respected by none, was transformed through Nightingale passion to simply provide better health
conditions to those in need, into a now very reputable profession (NHP, 2014). Her insight into
the nursing field stimulated others to want to follow in her footsteps. Her evidence-based
teachings on nursing practices and her hands-on training inspired established institutions for
further education and advancement into the nursing field (NHP, 2014; VEE, 2014; NWHM,

Running Head: SCHOLARLY PAPER

2014). Based on Nightingales theories of cleanliness, natural healing, and holistic care, nursing,
as it is known it today, has evolved (NHP, 2014).
Implications in Nursing Research
The present is influenced by what has happened in the past. Following Florence
Nightingales example, of compiling and analyzing data to validate nursing practices, paved the
way for techniques to be utilized in contemporary research to substantiate evidence-based care
(Kudzma, 2006; NHP, 2014). Nightingale used statistics to undisputedly argue her points about
unsanitary living conditions, to bring about change for hospital reform (Kudzma, 2006; NHP,
2014). Her research on safer, cleaner techniques and practices strengthened evidence-based care.
Her research proved useful and set an example to be followed into the next century, through
investigation and documentation, for change (Kudzma, 2006). As a result, research has proven
to be vital for evidence-based practices. Evidence-based practices helps to continually
strengthen the nursing profession and provides a foundation which guides nursing care (Egenes,
2001).

Running Head: SCHOLARLY PAPER

6
References

Egenes, K. (2001). Faithfully yours: A history of nursing in Illinois. IL: Jones & Bartlett.
Retrieved from http://www.jblearning.com/samples/0763752258/52258_CH01_Roux.pdf
Kudzma, E. (2006). Florence Nightingale and healthcare reform. Nursing Science Quarterly,
19(1), 61-64.
National Womens History Museum [NWHM]. (2014). Florence Nightingale. [Online].
Retrieved from http://www.nwhm.org/educationresources/biography/biographies/florence-nightingale/
Natural Health Perspectives [NHP]. (2014). Florence Nightingale. [Online]. Retrieved from
http://naturalhealthperspective.com/tutorials/florence-nightingale.html
Victorian Era England [VEE]. (2014). Florence Nightingale. [Online]. Retrieved from
http://www.victorian-era.org/florence-nightingale.html