Plato, Nightingale, and contemporary nursing.

PURPOSE

To explore the influence of Plato's ideal of leadership on Nightingale's vision for nursing. Nightingale left her imprint on nursing; greater understanding of Nightingale's legacy clarifies several contemporary problems in the field.

ORGANIZING FRAMEWORK

Qualitative, historical research in which the great person framework is used to focus on Nightingale and Plato. Nightingale's familiarity with Plato, whose work she read in the original Greek, is established.

SOURCES

Evidence for Platonic influence is uncovered in primary sources, then inductive reasoning and reflective analysis are used.

FINDINGS

Nightingale's conception of nursing is akin to Plato's conception of public service. Platonic education aims to turn talented people into leading citizens who care for the good of the community. Modern nursing did not evolve from a craft guild tradition, as did medicine. This profound difference in the constitution of nursing is part of what distinguishes it.

CONCLUSIONS

Reminiscent of Plato's "Republic," Nightingale's legacy leaves a guardian-like stamp on nursing. Although this legacy also leaves nursing with some ambiguities about technical training and hierarchical systems, it is an orientation to the general good that provides the basis for nursing's holism.