Florence Nightingale: reformer, reactionary, researcher

This article discusses the development and significant aspects of Florence Nightingale's beliefs and philosophy as they contributed to her character formation and the roles through which she has been historically recognized. Her beliefs about God and man, explored against a backdrop of the Victorian world, are shown as the essence of her philosophy out of which she initiated major changes in the social life of England. Nightingale's substantive corrective reforms, reflected in attitudinal, educational, organizational, and sociopolitical changes, and her system for effecting them are presented. Chief among these reforms were the system of initiation of nursing as a service and an education: constructive social utilization of women; education for women; national health, hospital and military medical reform for the British Empire, including India. Nightingale's ability to react to and obstruct progressive movement with which she disagreed is also review. The research capacities and contributions of Nightingale as an avenue through which she advocated and documented the changes and reforms proposed and executed are also discussed.