Forever Contemporary: Florence Nightingale in the 21st Century

Description/Overview: Florence Nightingale is recognized as the foundational philosopher of modern nursing. Her wisdom and ability to build the profession came out of her experiences in the Crimean War and her beliefs in the value of healthcare, the worth of women in the workforce and the need to utilize environmental adaptation to create health. This interactive workshop will provide an overview of Nightingale’s philosophical foundations for nursing and discuss their relevance to the present and future of nursing. Nightingale’s vision for nursing as the lynchpin in global healthcare provides a context for understanding the implications of the Institute of Medicine's 2010 report “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health” and its five major topic areas: Health Care Workforce, Quality and Patient Safety, Health Services, Coverage, and Access. Particular emphasis is placed on how Nightingale’s ideas are applicable to modern practice.