One of the founders of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale made a huge impact on the world. Her efforts to formalise nursing education led to the first scientifically based nursing school. She was also instrumental in setting up training for midwives and nurses in infirmaries. She was in charge of nursing British and allied soldiers in Turkey during the Crimean War, where she spent many hours in the wards, giving so much personal care to the wounded established her image as the “Lady with the Lamp”. She was also instrumental in establishing standards of care. President of the Association of Nurses of Ukraine Tetyana Chernyshenko says “Celebrating the birthday of nurse Florence Nightingale is deeply symbolic as she is the personification of high professionalism and a scientist, a woman who dedicated her whole life to serving people, with a big heart of kindness and love, modesty and nobility”.
This year the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has acknowledged the selfless contribution of the world’s 28 million nurses and has highlighted the sacrifices they have made during the pandemic, and in wars and conflict zones around the world, including Ukraine.
ICN President Dr Pamela Cipriano said: “On behalf of the world’s nurses, I send a message of solidarity to all our colleagues in Ukraine as they continue to provide care and comfort to their patients, but especially to those who, although they are living in unimaginably fearful conditions, are staying behind to care for the sick and injured. ICN recognises the courage, and the sacrifices nurses are making on the frontlines of this terrible conflict. We continue to call for nurses to be protected wherever they work, and for a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and elsewhere, because there can be no health in this world without peace. As we mark International Nurses Day, our hearts go out to you.”
