Before Nightingale Professionalized Nursing
In the mid nineteenth century society considered nursing to be an unsuitable profession for a well- educated lady. Nurses also had a reputation of being coarse, ignorant women, who led lives of promiscuity and drunkenness.
At this time doctors were almost always male. Nightingale once even said that, "It is constantly objected,- "But how can I obtain this medical knowledge? I am no a doctor. I must leave this to the doctors."' Nightingale often appeared frustrated that women thought so little of their own innate ability. Women tended to believe that the only person that was capable of taking care of their sick children would be a male doctor. Most women did not have the self confidence and drive to pursue a career in the medical field that was male dominated, like Florence Nightingale did.
Nightingale also once said, " I use the word nursing for the want of a better. It has been limited to signify little more than the administration of medicines and the application of poultices. It ought to signify the proper use of fresh air, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and the proper selection and administration of diet- all at the least expense of vital power to the patient." Nightingale felt that the field of nursing was not understood well at all. Most people did not understand what the role of a nurse was at this time. This misconception is understandable since after all Florence Nightingale is the "Mother of Nursing."
At this time doctors were almost always male. Nightingale once even said that, "It is constantly objected,- "But how can I obtain this medical knowledge? I am no a doctor. I must leave this to the doctors."' Nightingale often appeared frustrated that women thought so little of their own innate ability. Women tended to believe that the only person that was capable of taking care of their sick children would be a male doctor. Most women did not have the self confidence and drive to pursue a career in the medical field that was male dominated, like Florence Nightingale did.
Nightingale also once said, " I use the word nursing for the want of a better. It has been limited to signify little more than the administration of medicines and the application of poultices. It ought to signify the proper use of fresh air, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and the proper selection and administration of diet- all at the least expense of vital power to the patient." Nightingale felt that the field of nursing was not understood well at all. Most people did not understand what the role of a nurse was at this time. This misconception is understandable since after all Florence Nightingale is the "Mother of Nursing."