7 famous nurses who helped shape the career

The fact is that countless nurses have made their mark on the career through the years. And often, to do that, that they had to face adversity. Here we recognize the positive contributions of seven nurse pioneers who’ve made a major impact on the nursing career and their communities. From Mary Seacole to Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail, these nurses paved the way in which for future generations.

Mary Seacole (1805–1881)

Mary Seacole is recognized for her contributions to health care throughout the Crimean War.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, she learned the healing arts from her mother, a conventional healer and midwife.

Despite racial prejudice and rejection from the side British War OfficeSeacole independently traveled to Crimea, where she established the “British Hotel” where she fed, sheltered, and treated wounded soldiers. Seacole’s dedication and courage while treating soldiers on the battlefield earned her the nickname “Mother Seacole” and she or he became a respected figure in nursing.

Florence Nightingale (1820–1910)

Florence Nightingale, born in Florence, Italy, is widely considered a pioneer of contemporary nursing.

Although she got here from a privileged background, she felt a calling to take care of the sick and poor and defied her family’s expectations by pursuing a profession as a nurse.

Nightingale gained recognition for her efforts to enhance conditions in military hospitals throughout the Crimean War. It was during her nightly celebrations, carrying a lamp to light her way, that she earned the nickname “Lady with the Lamp.” Her nightly rounds were also a chance to look at and record the impact of the changes she introduced within the hospital. Nightingale also founded the world’s first secular nursing school at St. Stephen’s Hospital. Thomas in London, which became a model for other institutions.

See Nightingale’s collection of letters and pictures here.

Clara Barton (1821–1912)

Clara Barton was an American nurse best known for her role within the founding American Red Cross in 1881.

Born in Massachusetts, Barton served as a nurse throughout the Civil War, where she provided medical care to wounded soldiers on the front lines. This earned her a repute for dedication and courage, and the nickname “Angel of the Battlefield.”

After the war, she continued her humanitarian activities, helping soldiers and civilians in need. Barton’s advocacy for the rights of the wounded and her efforts to supply disaster relief laid the muse for the creation of the American Red Cross. Her efforts helped establish nursing as a respected and essential career.

Mary Eliza Mahoney (1845–1926)

Mary Eliza Mahoney is the primary African American woman to work within the United States as a professionally trained nurse

Overcoming racial and gender barriers, Mahoney accomplished the nursing program on the New England Women’s and Children’s Hospital in 1879.

Although she faced discrimination and racism throughout her profession, she remained committed to her work and have become a pioneer for future generations of African-American nurses. Throughout her profession, Mahoney has advocated for equity and variety in nursing, emphasizing the importance of cultural competency and compassionate care. Mahoney’s commitment served for example for others to pursue their dreams.

Małgorzata Sanger (1879–1966)

Born in New York, Margaret Sanger was a nurse and activist who played a key role in starting the contraceptive movement within the US

Growing up in a big and impoverished family, Sanger witnessed her mother’s struggles raising 11 children. This motivated her to develop into a nurse and take care of women with limited access to family planning resources.

Driven by a passion for social reform, she challenged the laws and social norms of the time that limited the spread of contraception methods. In 1916, she opened the primary contraceptive clinic within the US, after which founded the American Birth Control League, which became Planned Parenthood.

Mary Breckinridge (1881–1965)

Mary Breckinridge was an American nurse and midwife best known for founding the Frontier Nursing Service.

Born in Tennessee, Breckinridge experienced several personal tragedies in her life, including the deaths of two children and two husbands. Despite personal hardships, she dedicated her life to improving the health and well-being of moms and kids, especially in rural and underserved areas. This goal brought her to Europe, where she studied nurse-midwifery practice.

In 1925, Breckinridge founded the Frontier Nursing Service in Appalachian Kentucky to supply antenatal, labor and postnatal care to moms and infants in distant communities. Under her leadership, the service also trained nurse-midwives, which contributed to significant improvements in maternal and infant mortality rates within the region.

Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail (1903–1981)

Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail, a member of the Crow Nation, was born on the Crow Indian Reservation within the USA Montana. In 1927, Yellowtail became the primary Native American nurse in Montana, breaking barriers and paving the way in which for future generations of Native health care employees.

Yellowtail has been an advocate for the rights and health needs of Native communities and has played a major role in bridging the gap between Western medicine and traditional Native healing practices.

Having witnessed the deaths of indigenous people attributable to lack of access to health care and other aspects, Yellowtail has worked tirelessly throughout her profession to handle health care disparities amongst indigenous communities. She was committed to making sure that everybody received culturally sensitive and holistic health care.

Shaping nursing and galvanizing countless people to pursue careers in health care is a legacy these nurses share. They, and plenty of other nurses, have contributed over a whole bunch of years not only to the advancement of medication and science, but in addition to the prioritization of compassionate care.