Florence Nightingale. A 19th-century mystic.
Journal of holistic nursing : official journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association June 1, 1998 DOI: 10.1177/089801019801600205 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Florence Nightingale's motivation and achievements stemmed from her practice as a mystic in the Western tradition, paralleling the lives of three recognized women mystics. |
Abstract
Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) received a clear and profoundly moving Call to serve God at the age of 16. Through a lifetime of hard work and discipline, she became a practicing mystic in the Western tradition, thereby becoming an instrument of God's love, which was the primary source of her great energy and the fabled "Nightingale power." To understand the life and work of this legendary healer, who forever changed human consciousness, the role of women, and nursing and public health systems in the middle of the 19th century, it is necessary to understand her motivation and inspiration. The purpose of this article is to discuss her life and work in the context of her mystical practice and to show the parallels between her life and the lives of three recognized women mystics.