Lady with the Lamp

Florence was recruited by the Secretary of State to become the Superintendent of Nurses during the Crimean War from 1854-1856.  The deplorable condition of the British soldiers in the Scutari Hospital called for immediate reform.  Florence established a hospital laundry, improved the soldiers’ diet, and provided new bedding and clothing (Attewell, 1998).  Her formal education equipped her with excellent management and writing skills.  It was reported, however, that her interpersonal skills were somewhat lacking as she was often quite difficult to get along with (Stanley & Sherratt, 2010).  Nevertheless, her treatment of the soldiers won the favor of Queen Victoria and the British people.  She reportedly walked the hospital corridors each night with a lamp, becoming a symbol of hope in an otherwise dismal war (Attewell, 1998).  The soldiers loved her.