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Describe The Contribution Of Florence Nightingale Field Of Nursing (Essay Sample)

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The paper describes the contribution of Florence NIGHTINGALE to the field of nursing.

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CLC: Grand Theorist Report, Florence Nightingale
Anne Wendling
Carine Fru
Claudine Mbah
Molly Abraham
Grand Canyon University: NUR 502
August 30, 2017
CLC: Grand Theorist Report, Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries is considered to have come up with the earliest theory of nursing, even though it was not called a theory then. Nightingale’s is one of the grand theories that form the bedrock of nursing (Mcwen & Wills, 2014).
This paper briefly discusses the need theory as postulated by Henderson. In the discussion a rationale for selection, a short biography of the theorist, the category of her theory, assumptions underlying the theory, its major concepts, examples of how it has been applied and its integration into current practice are canvassed.
Rationale for Theory Selection
Nightingale’s theory is considered the earliest known theory of nursing. It is widely applicable in the subject and has greatly influenced nearly all subsequent theories. It is also very elaborate and is thus a very important to the practice (Mcwen & Wills, 2014). Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing. It is thus important for all nurses to study her postulations on the subject.
A Short Biography of Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), also known as “the lady with the lamp,” is credited with founding modern nursing (McDonald, 2001). Though an English national, she was born in Florence Italy from where she got her name. She was a member of a well-to-do, middle class family, but later rebelled from social comfort and became a passionate social reformer, nurse, writer and statistician (McDonald, 2001). She is considered the first nursing theorist even though the idea of theories did not exist then. She became famous for taking care of injured soldiers during the Crimean war (McDonald, 2001). In 1860 she founded a nursing school at the St Thomas Hospital in London. Major nursing awards to date are dedicated to her name (McDonald, 2001).
Category of Nightingale’s Theory
Her theory is currently classified under the metaparadigm of the environmental theory. She set the standards for nursing that are still used today. Her interpretation of nursing covered all the major paradigms such as environment, human, health and nursing (McEwen, M., & Wills, E., 2014). She believed that “a healthy environment is essential for healing,” and asserted that “nursing is an act of utilizing the environment of the patient, to assist him in his recovery” (Nightingale, 1860/1969). She came up with this theory through her own experience of observing patients and the reasons behind their death, and often attributed their demise to environmental factors (McEwen, M., & Wills, E., 2014).
Underlying Assumptions of the Theory
Human beings always live within a certain environment. One of the major assumptions of the theory is that the environment is inseparable from the well-being of human lives (Jacobs, 2001). Nightingale asserted that, “a nurse's role in a patient's recovery phase, is to alter the environment in order to gradually create the optimal conditions for the patient's body to heal itself” (Petiprin, A., 2016).
Another major assumption is that patients will react positively to a properly balanced environment in aid of their recovery. This implies that even where a patient is unaware of his environment, such things as fresh air will still aid in the recovery process (McDonald, 2001). 
The Theory
The Environmental theory by Florence Nightingale is a patient-care theory. Its focus is on care for the patient as provided by the nurse, and the relationship between the nurse, the patient and the environment (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Environmental factors that affect patient recovery include: ventilation and warming, light and noise, cleanliness of surroundings, sanitation, bed and beddings, hope and advice, and food (McEwen & Wills, 2014).
Pure fresh air, a quiet space, warm environment, healthy diet, clean water, effective drainage, cleanliness, light, correct beds and linen, were part of her proposed environment for quick healing (Mcwen & Wills, 2014).
Additionally, nursing care directly influences the environment where nurses are expected to ensure that care is of high quality, is continuous and is consistent. High quality and efficient health care practitioners help facilitate the healing process by the high quality care they provide. By making sure everything is done accurately and also making sure that patients are compliant with their treatment regime, a positive outcome will occur.  
Integration of Theory in Practice-Action Plan
There has been a resurgence in attention to Nightingale’s environment theory in modern nursing (Jacobs, 2001). The attribute of human dignity which was widely canvassed by her still forms an integral part of nursing theory and practice to date (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 135).
Nurses everywhere still ensure a clean, orderly and sanitized environment for their patients. The environment is an important paradigm in the healing of patients. Individual patients respond differently to different environmental factors depending on their condition. Consequently, each environment is adjusted according to the unique needs of the patient to aid their recovery (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 135). This is applicable to all health institutions including ours.
Integration of Theory in Practice-Assessment Guide
Pressure ulcers also known as bedsores or decubitus ulcers are damage to the skin and/or underlying tissue that usually occur over bony prominence such as the coccyx, sacrum, elbow, hips, heels and shoulders as a result of pressure, shearing, friction and prolonged immobility. Nightingale’s Environmental Theory is used in today’s health care institutions to help alleviate the reoccurrence and the treatment of pressure ulcers.
Pressure ulcers are treated with antibiotics, dietary supplements such as high protein diets and most often-aseptic technics are used, which reflect back to Florence’s theory. Elements of the environment impact w...
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