Plunkett, Iwasiw, and Kerr (2010) state that “a graduate education in nursing fosters independent thought, critical thinking, and the ability to synthesize and critique large amounts of information” (p. 1). Graduate studies help to refine nursing research skills and provide academic preparation for nursing faculty, thus sustaining the “academic rigor upon which the foundation of nursing knowledge lies” (Plunkett, Iwasiw, & Kerr, 2010, p. 1). Additionally, leadership skills emerge as nurses advance in their education. Many are driven by internal values and sense nursing to be a calling as did Florence Nightingale. Stanley and Sherratt (2010) distinguish clinical leadership from nursing leadership. Clinical leaders are specialists who have strong interpersonal skills and “facilitate evidence-based practice and improved patient outcomes through local care” (p. 116). Florence Nightingale was actually not an effective clinical leader. She had very little hands-on patient care experience, even during the Crimean War. However, she proved to be an exceptional nursing leader throughout her entire life. Nursing leaders are “powerful and successful role models for the academic, political, and managerial domains of nursing” (Stanley & Sherratt, 2010, p. 115).
Florence Nightingale was a trail blazer in her time to initiate and demand reform. She pushed through great adversity to advance nursing education and practice to the honored and respected profession that it is today.
I attribute my success to this -
Sharon, Florence Nightingale have done so much for the advancement of nursing. Great job! Please visit my blog. Thanks
ReplyDeleteSharon,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog. I found it very interesting that Nightingale had very little direct patient care. I guess I always envisioned her being this "super nurse" who personally bandaged every soldier's wounds. She was certainly a super nurse leader and that's what made her stand out and pave the way for the modern nursing profession. Great job!
Stephanie Luman