“My heart always sinks within me when I hear the good housewife, of every class, say, ‘I assure you the bed has been well slept in,’ and I can only hope it is not true. What? Is the bed already saturated with somebody else’s damp before my patient comes to exhale in it his own damp? Has it not had a single chance to be aired? No, not one. It has been slept in every night.” From the best known work of Florence Nightingale (1820–1910), the originator and founder of modern nursing, comes a collection of notes that played an important part in the much needed revolution in the field of nursing. For the first time it was brought to the attention of those caring for the sick that their responsibilities covered not only the administration of medicines and the application of poultices, but the proper use of fresh air, light, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and the proper selection and administration of diet. Miss Nightingale is outspoken on these subjects as well as on other factors that she considers essential to good nursing. But, whatever her topic, her main concern and attention is always on the patient and his needs. One is impressed with the fact that the fundamental needs of the sick as observed by Miss Nightingale are amazingly similar today (even though they are generally taken for granted now) to what they were over 100 years ago when this book was written. For this reason, this little volume is as practical as it is interesting and entertaining. It will be an inspiration to the student nurse, refreshing and stimulating to the experienced nurse, and immensely helpful to anyone caring for the sick.

Neither in my own nursing education at the B.S.N. nor at the M.S.N. level, was it even suggested, much less required, that I read any of Florence Nightingale’s original writings. Even as a nurse educator for over 30 years, I did not require my students to read her writings either. After reading this book, I now believe it is a void in the education of a nurse not to read at least some of the writings of the founder of modern day nursing. Notes on Nursing would be an excellent choice. This book introduces and discusses, to some degree, many of the concepts nurses have been dealing with since before my entrance into the field in the 1969, and certainly ever since. Included in these pages are concepts such as holistic health, home health, alternative therapies, health prevention and maintenance, the role of women in nursing and in everyday life, nursing administration, leadership, communications skills, mind/body and body/mind relationships. Her theory on the use of light, fresh air, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and the proper selection and administration of diet is also well explored. Some of the comments are unexpected and very insightful. – Anita S. Kessler, R.N., M.S.N., M.Ed. Florence Nightingale was the founder of the modern nursing profession. She single handedly revolutionized medical treatment with her writings on nursing. Anita S. Kessler is an R. N. With Master Degrees in both nursing and education. She has been an educator of nurses for more than thirty years.

Neither in my own nursing education at the B.S.N. nor at the M.S.N. level, was it even suggested, much less required, that I read any of Florence Nightingale’s original writings. Even as a nurse educator for over 30 years, I did not require my students to read her writings either. After reading this book, I now believe it is a void in the education of a nurse not to read at least some of the writings of the founder of modern day nursing. Notes on Nursing would be an excellent choice. This book introduces and discusses, to some degree, many of the concepts nurses have been dealing with since before my entrance into the field in the 1969, and certainly ever since. Included in these pages are concepts such as holistic health, home health, alternative therapies, health prevention and maintenance, the role of women in nursing and in everyday life, nursing administration, leadership, communications skills, mind/body and body/mind relationships. Her theory on the use of light, fresh air, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and the proper selection and administration of diet is also well explored. Some of the comments are unexpected and very insightful. – Anita S. Kessler, R.N., M.S.N., M.Ed. Florence Nightingale was the founder of the modern nursing profession. She single handedly revolutionized medical treatment with her writings on nursing. Anita S. Kessler is an R. N. With Master Degrees in both nursing and education. She has been an educator of nurses for more than thirty years.