More importantly, however, contemporary realists differ from Nightingale in four main areas, those of theistic assumption, methods of research, determinism, and naturalism. While contemporary realists certainly agree with Nightingale's position that simply realizing fact is not enough, and that actions based on findings is important (Porter, 2001), Nightingale inserted a certain assumption of God into her realistic viewpoints that modern realism avoids. Whereas Nightingale supported the concept that man's actions were dictated by God, modern realists recognize specific non-theistic causes for behaviors.
Secondly, Nightingale relied solely on quantitative method of research, since such methods were most available in her period. Such methods, involving the scientific, external, specific identification of patterns of events, are useful, but modern realists understand the need for individualistic understanding of information. Whereas Nightingale's focus was on identifying the patterns of relationships, modern realists focus more on understanding those relationships (Porter, 2001).
Third, modern realists differ slightly from Nightingale in their views on determinism. As discussed, Nightingale believed firmly in determinism, and believed no true free will of behavior existed (Porter, 2001). Modern realists, however, focus not only on the tendencies for patterns, rather than inevitable patterns of relationships (Porter, 2001). In this way, modern realists allow for flexibility in causation, whereas nightingale's hard deterministic stance did not.
Finally, modern realists recognize a unity between causation of social structure and natural structure. Whereas Nightingale held a naturalistic belief that social and natural events occur due to the same causation factors, modern realists see the two independently, in that social structures are the result of human action, while natural events occur due to natural law (Porter, 2001). Since human action is interpretable, such a belief breaks the naturalistic viewpoint.
Understanding these differences in realism views is vital to nursing practice. While Nightingale's harsh realism was acceptable in her time period, due to a reliance on theology and quantitative methods, such concepts are outdated, and should be rejected in modern nursing. While theological perspectives are important, understanding the basis of causation outside such a doctrine is vital to understanding modern causation of events, and thus, modern nursing concepts. The interpretable actions of individuals, outside of deterministic viewpoints, is vital to understanding human beings in the modern age, and is thus necessary to understanding the structures, norms, diseases, and atmospheres of modern man. Further, the break between social and natural law is necessary, in that natural law is not subjective. In order to fully comprehend causes and effects of specific nursing concepts, such an understanding of different levels of causation is necessary.
Porter (2001) concludes his article by noting the influence Nightingale's philosophy has had on modern nursing. While some critics have downplayed this influence, Porter is accurate in his analysis. He stresses the admitted limitations of her philosophy, such as her reliance on theological and religious aspects and quantitative research methods, due to the time period in which she lived, but also stresses the importance of her focus on the beginnings of a realistic approach to nursing and medicine. He points to Nightingale's insistence on deeper causes of illness and health, her focus on statistics as a means of measurement, and her linkage of fact and value. In this, Porter refers to the concept of understanding not only the disease and the etiology of disease, but also the experiences of those with disease and the social belief systems of the...
In 1858, Louis Pasteur identified germs, proving that diseases did not 'spontaneously' arise as nightingale thought (Atwell, 1998). However, it was Nightingale that began work as to the conditions that promoted the growth of germs, but she would not know this for many years. The Crimean War: Putting Theory Into Practice When the Crimean War broke out, she began work at once in a British hospital. Her emphasis was placed on
In the Crimean War, she arranged for the physical set-up of the patients' beds, the discarding of the infested and soiled linens and the ensuring of good and maintained ventilation. After the War, she advocated for social reforms, one of which was the review of the British Poor Laws. The recall of this Law initiated its amendment into the Hardy's Bill on 1867. This bill looked into the state of
Nursing Today VI. Conclusion A. The Call to Vocation B. The Influences: Before and After C. Nursing, Feminism, Service, and the Male Ego Reference List Bloy, M. (2010). Florence Nightingale. The Victorian Web. Retrieved from http://www.victorianweb.org/history/crimea/florrie.html This site gives a good history of Nightingale, her service, and the impact she had on nursing. Collected Works of Florence Nightingale. Wilfrid Laurier University Press. Retrieved from http://www.wlupress.wlu.ca/Series/CWFN.shtml A great source of information for all the written works of
But Florence Nightingale was not intimidated by the attitude of the military officers and she decided to fight with all weapons: she contacted the Times and reported the situation in army hospitals, thus forcing the British Army to reorganize their hospitals. Her contribution to the military hospitals paid off when, by improving the quality of sanitation, the number of dead patients was reduced considerably. Florence Nightingale was a strong supporter of
Florence Nightingale -- Nursing Theorist The pioneering healthcare services that Florence Nightingale performed during 1854 Crimean War in Europe is today recognized as the beginning of the organized and sanitary field of nursing. This paper follows the career of Nightingale and recognizes her contribution to the theory of nursing care -- and the development of nursing training -- for the ill and the injured. The Progression of Florence Nightingale's Career From Financial Comfort
Nightingale Florence Nightingale and Environment Theory According to most nursing historians, Florence Nightingale is the leading figure in the development of modern nursing. As an early innovator in the field, Nightingale would pioneer many of the ideologies and approach which are still in circulation today. In particular, nursing professionals in her wake would coin the term Environment Theory in order to describe the mode of care that would be her contribution to
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