10 most famous Nurses in history

Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families,
and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life.
The history of nursing has been a fascinating series of twists and turns. Often relegated to a
secondary position within the medical community, many nurses have proven to be crusaders for
change, impacting history. These nurses, now mentioned in the history books, changed the world
for the better. Here are ten of them.
1. Florence Nightingale (1820 1910): Perhaps the most famous nurse in history, Florence
Nightingale is known for her efforts to reform the British military health system. She was
born to a patrician family, and her mother was distressed when Nightingale forsook her
aristocratic duties to become a nurse. Nightingale was especially drawn to those in
poverty. She traveled to a number of countries, and rejected an offer of marriage from the
poet Milnes. She did not want anything to interfere with what she believed was a Godgiven calling as a nurse. In addition to being a nursing pioneer, Nightingale was known
for her contributions to mathematics.
2. Walt Whitman (1819 1892): Few people realize that the famous poet was also a
volunteer nurse. Whitman worked as a nurse at Army hospitals set up during the Civil
War. Many of his observations during this time led to his The Great Army of the Sick.
Whitman was known for his egalitarian views, as well as for his political interest and
poems.
3. Clara Barton (1821 1912): Clarissa Harlowe Barton is one of the most famous women
in American history. She began her nursing career at the age of 11, caring for her brother
after he fell while working on a barn. Barton is known as the founder of the Red Cross,
which began as she carried supplied to the battlefield during the Civil War.
4. Mary Eliza Mahoney (1845 1926): The first African-American professional registered
nurse was Mary Eliza Mahoney. She worked tirelessly to provide good service and
medical care to her patients. She was a co-founder of the National Association of Colored
Graduate Nurses, which late became the American Nurses Association. The Mary
Mahoney Award is names after her.
5. Florence Guinness Blake (1907 1983): From her youth, Florence Guinness Blake was
encouraged to become a nurse. She considered it a privilege, and received extensive
training, even receiving a master of science degree and becoming a nursing teacher. She
was well-known as a pediatric nurse, who helped advance the cause of graduate level
nursing education for those who wanted to work with children.
6. Margaret Sanger (1879 1966): The founder of the organization of what became
Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger was a nurse who worked tirelessly to provide
women with adequate access to birth control. After seeing the straits that women found
themselves due to lack of birth control, she was outspoken about birth control as a way
for women to find equal footing by being in charge of their health and wellness by being
able to decide when the best time for pregnancy was.
7. Virginia Avenel Henderson (1897 1996): Often referred to as the first lady of
nursing, Virginia Avenel Henderson is known for her development of nursing theory.
She graduated from the Army School of Nursing, and also receive a M.A. in nursing

education from Columbia University. Her theory that nurses should aid everyone in the
quest for better overall health is recognized as a major contribution to the practice of
nursing.
8. Dorothea Dix (1802 1887): Outraged by the treatment of the poverty-stricken insane,
Dorothea Dix became the force behind the first mental asylums in the United States. Dix
was an outspoken activist who also acted as a nurse during the Civil War, serving as the
Superintendent of Army Nurses.
9. Martha Ballard (1734 1812): This midwife worked to help mothers and babies. She is
the great-aunt of famous nurse Clara Barton. Ballard is known for keeping a good diary
of her medical practice as she went around by canoe or horse in what later became
Maine.
10. Jeanne Prentice: Currently active as a nurse midwife, Jean Prentice works to bring
awareness to natural and home births. She has been active in South Dakota, where she
leads the PUSH! initiative which focuses on allowing women to be able to choose to have
babies where they would like. She works through WomanKind Midwifery.

10 most
famous Nurses
in history

Elev: Cova Daniela

Profesor: Ptracu Carmen