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Celebrating the Legacy of Florence Nightingale

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated May 12, 2017. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
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Florence Nightingale, the philosophical founder of modern nursing, was born on this day, 197 years ago. It's a name and legacy that Concorde students, be it the associate's degree RN program or diploma programs for practical/vocational nurses, should know.

Nightingale was a trailblazing figure who greatly affected 19th- and 20th-century policies around proper care. She was known commonly as the 'Lady with the Lamp.' She made thousands of night rounds caring for the ill and wounded. Born to a wealthy, aristocratic family in Florence, Italy, Nightingale defied expectations by pursuing nursing as her calling. She was put in charge of caring for British and allied soldiers in Turkey during the Crimean War.

Nightingale formalized education for nurses and established the first scientifically-based nurse school in 1860.

She was the first woman awarded the Order of Merit, in 1907.

International Nurses Day is today, commemorating Nightingale's birth and also celebrating the role of nurses in health care. Concorde students on many of its campuses are celebrating today with a variety of ceremonies and commemorations.

Celebrating Nursing in Garden Grove

"Our pioneer, nurse Florence Nightingale, always represented the very best of nursing, and in her life, she combined science, critical thinking and caring into actions that changed the lives of millions of people," stated Lu-Ping Gamble, RN, BSN, MSN, PhDEd, Director of Nursing at Concorde's campus in Garden Grove, CA, in a greeting to her Vocational Nurse students today.

"You have a responsibility as future nurses to be role models of the values and attitudes that make nursing valuable," Gamble said. "You will change lives. Celebrate yourself. Acknowledge the importance of the work you have done."

Nursing activities to celebrate the day

Vocational Nurse students at Concorde's campus in San Diego, CA will participate in a Florence Nightingale quiz. They'll also have a history lesson with all the students in the department.

"We give out raffle tickets for prizes they can win," said Carol Carotenuti, RN, MSN/Ed VN Director of Nursing. "The instructors usually wear their caps and show uniforms of the time as well. It's a fun experience for them to see the white uniforms with white hose that we had."

Students in the Practical Nurse program at Concorde's campus in Jacksonville, FL learn about Nightingale in the first course when the topic is Nurse Theorists and Foundations of Nursing, according to Lenora Bodway, Director of Nursing. Those students also participate in a variety of activities to commemorate the foundational trailblazer in their future careers. Faculty will indulge in cake, and all students receive survival kits filled with candy.

Vocational nurse students at Concorde's campus in San Bernardino, CA are encouraged to dress in old-time, vintage uniforms. Cohorts about to graduate will visit first-term classes to impart their understanding of what Nightingale has done to improve health care and advance the nurse profession.

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