And What It Is Not (Dover Books on Biology) - What It Is

This is a book all nurses should read. It was written in the 1800's, but the basic nursing concepts have not changed. Because it was written in a different era, the language can be a bit cumbersome. I had to reread some passages to gain full comprehension. Again, even though this was written long ago, the basic concepts are very beneficial to any one on the medical profession.

This book is easy to read and keeps your interest. I'm always interested in the history of events and this book portrays the thoughts of Florence Nightingale in addition to the opinions of present day nurse-theorists.

The first nurse theorist, raising nursing to "profession status"- using common sense and critical thinking skilss like no other in her time. She is a true legend, a true leader and a true role model. To have met her would have been an honor, to have been taught by her...priceless.

The first nurse theorist, raising nursing to "profession status"- using common sense and critical thinking skilss like no other in her time. She is a true legend, a true leader and a true role model. To have met her would have been an honor, to have been taught by her...priceless.

Florence Nightingale not only virtually invented modern nursing as we know it, she was also known for her groundbreaking work in the field of statistics. She was incredibly intelligent as well as sincere, having been born to a wealthy British family wherein many of the other female members simply "lived and played and had a good time", to paraphrase from somewhere. She was on a mission from God (who does exist, by the way), and lived to the age of 90 without renouncing that mission, albeit she went through many times of despair and darkness, as do most people of her stature and faith.

When she was close to death, FN had a nurse herself, who used to come and tuck her in at night. When FN's nurse had in turn retired, FN would get out of bed, and go and tuck her nurse in. This kind of person deserves to have her books read, especially when you can get this version for free.

One of the things you will enjoy about this book is realizing that FN was absolutely loving and yet totally above sentimentality. This Kindle edition of her pioneering work is perfectly formatted, so download it and enjoy.

Or don't, but it will be your loss.

I was a bit disappointed when I opened the book and realized it was a xeroxed copy of a previously printed (1898) version of Nightingale's work. If this was reprinted as a hard cover edition I would rate it higher and consider keeping it.

Nightingale's book is both a historical document that depicts deplorable conditions in 19th century medicine in England as well as a contemporary guide to promoting health holistically. She defines disease as "more or less a reparative process, not necessarily accompanied with suffering; an effort of nature to remedy a process of poisoning or decay..." The goal is to assist the patient to return to a state where nature can best repair him, and maintain this state of balance to prevent future illness.

Nightingale identifies five requirements to a healthy house: pure air, pure water, efficient drainage, cleanliness and light. These are just as vital in 2008 as they were in 1898. Likewise, her thoughts are pertinent today regarding the interconnection of mind, emotions, and body in health. She stresses emotional components of health and illness, stating, "Apprehension, uncertainty, waiting, expectation, fear of surprise, do a patient more harm than any exertion. Remember, he is face to face with his enemy all the time, internally wrestling with him, having long imaginary conversations with him." Nightingale recommends that patients manage their own care. She addresses contagious diseases of her time, such as small pox and scarlet fever. Her recommendations to restore the body to health, rather than rely on a medical antidote, are pertinent as we approach a post antibiotic era, where organisms are resistant to our arsenal of antibiotics.

Nightingale gives a historical perspective on the role of women in England as family caregivers. The expectation that women carry out this role is pertinent today. She also criticizes the medical profession's habit of attributing fatalities to "God's will" instead of bad medical practice. Her writings point to a need for investigating and preventing adverse medical consequences.

Nightingale's book is meaningful today. In some ways, that is a sad commentary on modern health, views of illness, and the role of women in society. In other ways, her book validates the need to maintain a holistic focus on health that encompasses more than a single individual, but a family, a community and a society.

This is a wonderful book that should be a required reading for anyone working in or around the healthcare field. It is a sad reminder of how little we have done to maintain her work ethics,especially, in regards to cleanliness ,ventilation, and wholistic treatment of the infirm.

Nightingale has a certain " tongue in cheek" way of speaking in parts of this book. She suffered no ignorance nor laziness.

It is striking to me how people of this modern age think their thoughts are so "cutting edge" and "innovative". Read this book and you will see Florence was thinking it long before they thought it. She speaks of the implications a certain painting might have on an ill person viewing it day in and day out as well as every other detail affecting the sick person. As a nurse,I am in awe of her;and, as a nurse, I see how much we have failed her in modern hospitals and healthcare systems.

I recommend this book to everyone: young/old, and all backgrounds.

Nursing is a vocation; not "just a job." Miss Nightingale knew this, and this book reflects this philosophy. Nursing-schools, many years ago, designed the curriculum--and educated the aspiring nurses--with this in mind. Sadly, many present-day nurses (and nursing-schools) have lost this ideal...and the state of affairs in nursing bears this out.

If you're seriously considering nursing--or are a nurse who is "burned out," read this book. It will enlighten and edify you.

Florence Nightingale greatly influenced modern nursing, to focus on the needs of the patient and establish nursing as a profession requiring assessment skills as well as caring presence. This brief, well-written & clearly understandable book is a must for the personal library of any nurse or nursing student. It is amazing to realize how advanced Nightingale's thinking was in her era; her lessons remain essential today and provide a basis for understanding why we do the things we do. A great read for anyone interested in nursing!

My daughter used this book to inspire her speech for her R.N. pinning ceremony. She and I found the book very interesting and inspiring. Everyone enjoyed her speech and found the information very interesting.

This makes a wonderful gift for a nursing student who is graduating, a nurse who is retiring or one who is being promoted. It is fascinating reading from a historical aspect will be relevant until the end of time.