Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) was a British nurse, social reformer, and statistician. Known as the “Lady with the Lamp,” she revolutionized nursing practices during the Crimean War and played a crucial role in establishing nursing as a respected profession. Her tireless efforts and dedication continue to inspire healthcare professionals worldwide.
“I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.”
Florence Nightingale Quotes
“I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.”
“Let whoever is in charge keep this simple question in her/his mind: not, how can I always do this right thing myself, but how can I provide for this right thing to be always done?”
“Were there none who were discontented with what they have, the world would never reach anything better.”
“Live life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift—there is nothing small about it.”
“How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.”
“I never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself.”
“It may seem a strange principle to enunciate as the very first requirement in a Hospital that it should do the sick no harm.”
“The very first requirement in a hospital is that it should do the sick no harm.”
“Let whoever is in charge keep this simple question in her/his mind: not, how can I always do this right thing myself, but how can I provide for this right thing to be always done.”
“Never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself.”
“I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results.”
“Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses… we must be learning all of our lives.”
“The most important practical lesson that can be given to nurses is to teach them what to observe.”
“Apprehension, uncertainty, waiting, expectation, fear of surprise, do a patient more harm than any exertion.”
These quotes capture Florence Nightingale’s dedication to nursing, her belief in the power of action, and her emphasis on continuous learning and improvement.
“Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation, as any painter’s or sculptor’s work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or dead marble, compared with having to do with the living body, the temple of God’s spirit? It is one of the Fine Arts: I had almost said, the finest of Fine Arts.”
