Notes on Nursing What It Is, and What It Is Not

Remember, clean the bedpan after every use. Once a day is not often enough. Open a window so you patient doesn't smother in the stink.Did someone really have to tell us these things? Yes, someone did. And Florence did so, in a clear and precise manner with a touch of wit. I wish more people knew of her insight and wit, which survives to this day. On women's dress in the Victorian age she says, "the dress of women is daily more and more unfitting them for any mission or usefulness." and then jokes, "every woman now either shuffles or waddles" from all the crinoline and lace. In regards to visitors she advises nurses that the patient should not be surprised "except by thieves."And yet there are other gems here that modern nurses will see as well, like informing her readers that it is rude to talk to the doctor about them in their hearing or that you should sit and not appeared rushed when patients need to talk.

I know this is a classic piece of nursing history and Florence certainly doesn't need my approval - she has already endured. But the format of this version is easy to read and follow. I liked that part a lot.I read this as a requirement for a class, but in the end, wondered why I had never read it before that? The class drew comparisons between then and now - and that made it extremely interesting to read.Anyone in the medical field should read this at least once.The language might put some off (Florence didn't speak modern English of course), but the reasonably intelligent can get through the language from long ago just fine. I enjoyed that challenge. It's a short read if the challenge of the language puts anyone off.

Much of what is contained in this book will be recognized by nurses today. The need for sanitation, healthy food, and plain common sense is relevant today. Without Florence Nightingale nursing would not be the respected profession it is today. I referenced this book several times when writing papers for my BSN and MSN. Miss Nightingale was also a statistician whose work is still recognized today. She put her statistical data to use in convincing those in power that reforms in healthcare needed to take place. Miss Nightingale could have, with her large private income, lived in the lap of luxury but instead went to the Crimea and provided care to those in great need. That experience is the basis for the nursing care we provide today.

Ms. Nightingale was an extremely intelligent and severe woman. I wish I had met her in person. However, this discussion on good nursing is inspiring, but a little redundant at times. It is actually useful to anyone caring for sick people, even a parent, sitter, or nurse's aide.

As a retired nurse (anesthetist), I found this book fascinating. Nurses were expected to do so much for patients with so little formal education, and "medical men", saw little value in nurses being educated. Florence Nightingale emphasized a strict role for nurses, with all medical issues to be left to the doctor 's discretion. At the same time, she promotes the idea of tracing nurses so they will be more useful both to patients and doctors. of course nurses were always women! Doctors are referred to as "medical men"! So much has changed!

I used this book teaching nursing classes about "Miss Nightengale" who was a revolutionary figure in nursing and public health. A must-read for nurses to know where their roots are, and what her ideas were in her time. She was an influential figure in her time with hospitals, disease and government reforms as well as a volunteer during wartime. This book gets into her head!

I loved reading this Florence Nightingale book. It was interesting to see what we've done in the past and how far we've come into the future but it is also interesting to see how things stay the same especially regarding the bedside manner. The book is free in my Kindle so it was a win-win situation.

The is a work for the ages. Innovators always face the headwinds of so called "conventional wisdom". People need to know those caring for them care deeply. Anyone serving people can learn excellence from her example.

Got this for free on kindle. Never read much of it coz it was not really relevant to my nursing course. Load of tosh really

This is not an actual book. It’s just been printed off with no figures. All of the stats within it are unreadable. Don’t bother with this...

A good book for nurses and carer workers to understand the meaning of care

This would make an interesting book for those thinking about a career in nursing. An historical account.

This is such a good read. Makes you appreciate the NHS!