A ‘lamentable failure'? The founding of Nightingale nursing in Australia, 1868–1884∗

Thanks to Sydney University and the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine for travel grants, to Sydney Hospital for access to Osburn's Nursing Register, and to Sue Forsyth, Christine Johnston, Glenda Strachan, David Godden, Jan Rodgers and the AHS editor and readers commenting on drafts.

Abstract

Florence Nightingale's private assessment was that Lucy Osburn failed in her attempt to found Nightingale nursing in Australia. This assessment is directly at odds with those of historians who have unquestioningly accepted Osburn's success. An alternative narrative of the founding of Nightingale nursing in Australia is provided through examining why Nightingale thought Osburn failed. The judgment of failure had little to do with nursing practice or care. Nightingale's judgment was based on the personal characteristics she expected of the Nightingale nurse and her fear of public exposure of problems at the Nightingale School of Nursing at St Thomas's Hospital.

Notes

Thanks to Sydney University and the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine for travel grants, to Sydney Hospital for access to Osburn's Nursing Register, and to Sue Forsyth, Christine Johnston, Glenda Strachan, David Godden, Jan Rodgers and the AHS editor and readers commenting on drafts.