Florence Nightingale: Religious Foundations of her Life and Work
Jacek Mostwin, M.D., D.Phil., Professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Marie Nolan, PhD. RN, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
In her later years, Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) wrote to Benjamin Jowett: "When very many years ago I planned a future, my one idea was not organizing a hospital but organizing a religion.”
She was born into a wealthy Victorian family, providing important connections to leaders of British society that would help implement her visions later in life. From an early age she showed concern and desire to care for sick children and wounded animals. Her father tutored her in classical and modern languages. She was well read in biblical and medieval mystical literature. At 17 she experienced the first of several mystical visions: she felt called by God, earnestly seeking implementation of purpose and vocation aligned with His Will. Her family discouraged her from nursing, considering it a menial occupation. She declined offers of marriage to pursue her vision. She acquired early experience with organized care of the sick among religious orders of nuns, both Catholic and Protestant. In Rome, she met Madre Santa Columba during a retreat, learning the Spiritual exercises of Ignatius Loyola. During a voyage through Egypt and Greece she further struggled to discern her vocation, On May 12, 1850, during that journey she wrote in her diary, “Today I am thirty--the age Christ began his mission. Now no more childish things.... Oh Lord Thy Will, Thy Will.” She wrote this in the language of the Annunciation, adding years later “I was thy handmaid as a girl” On completing her 9 month eastern journey she worked at the Lutheran Kaiserswerth in Germany, observing practical nursing methods. Shortly after her return to England, she was called upon to bring nurses to Crimea, among whom were Catholic and Anglican nuns, and where her public legend began.
In practical matters, Nightingale used quantitative skills to review and present outcomes. Her chart of Crimean casualties as a function of time and cause has been considered one of three most important quantitative charts ever produced. She viewed the Universe as directed by immutable laws created by God. She believed human reason and agency rather than miraculous intervention would be how man would best partner in God’s plan of perfection of His creation. In matters of dogma she was flexible and thoughtful, in matters of personal prayer and spirituality she was mystical. Throughout her life she annotated her Bibles and produced an 800 page document on the medieval mystics. She borrowed from many religious traditions to create what she considered spiritual foundation for nursing but discouraged proselytizing while patients were ill and vulnerable.
She combined intellect and character with corporal works of mercy as practiced by the nuns with whom she interacted, blended with a desire for mystical Union with God through discernment and vocation, which she cultivated throughout life. The integration of these elements led to an advance in modern nursing which now preserves the principles of care and professionalism, but underplays the religious dimensions to which she was devoted.
Marie Nolan, PhD. RN, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
In her later years, Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) wrote to Benjamin Jowett: "When very many years ago I planned a future, my one idea was not organizing a hospital but organizing a religion.”
She was born into a wealthy Victorian family, providing important connections to leaders of British society that would help implement her visions later in life. From an early age she showed concern and desire to care for sick children and wounded animals. Her father tutored her in classical and modern languages. She was well read in biblical and medieval mystical literature. At 17 she experienced the first of several mystical visions: she felt called by God, earnestly seeking implementation of purpose and vocation aligned with His Will. Her family discouraged her from nursing, considering it a menial occupation. She declined offers of marriage to pursue her vision. She acquired early experience with organized care of the sick among religious orders of nuns, both Catholic and Protestant. In Rome, she met Madre Santa Columba during a retreat, learning the Spiritual exercises of Ignatius Loyola. During a voyage through Egypt and Greece she further struggled to discern her vocation, On May 12, 1850, during that journey she wrote in her diary, “Today I am thirty--the age Christ began his mission. Now no more childish things.... Oh Lord Thy Will, Thy Will.” She wrote this in the language of the Annunciation, adding years later “I was thy handmaid as a girl” On completing her 9 month eastern journey she worked at the Lutheran Kaiserswerth in Germany, observing practical nursing methods. Shortly after her return to England, she was called upon to bring nurses to Crimea, among whom were Catholic and Anglican nuns, and where her public legend began.
In practical matters, Nightingale used quantitative skills to review and present outcomes. Her chart of Crimean casualties as a function of time and cause has been considered one of three most important quantitative charts ever produced. She viewed the Universe as directed by immutable laws created by God. She believed human reason and agency rather than miraculous intervention would be how man would best partner in God’s plan of perfection of His creation. In matters of dogma she was flexible and thoughtful, in matters of personal prayer and spirituality she was mystical. Throughout her life she annotated her Bibles and produced an 800 page document on the medieval mystics. She borrowed from many religious traditions to create what she considered spiritual foundation for nursing but discouraged proselytizing while patients were ill and vulnerable.
She combined intellect and character with corporal works of mercy as practiced by the nuns with whom she interacted, blended with a desire for mystical Union with God through discernment and vocation, which she cultivated throughout life. The integration of these elements led to an advance in modern nursing which now preserves the principles of care and professionalism, but underplays the religious dimensions to which she was devoted.