Florence Nightingale’s environmental theory of nursing is focused on the reparative and recovery processes, which are directly or indirectly impacted by the surrounding environment. Prior to the theory, the assumptions on care and recovery were centered around the disease itself, where the environment was not factored in. Florence Nightingale is the first nursing theorist, and her published work serves as a conceptual framework that defined the model of nursing that has become a model for teaching in many countries around the world. The theory includes key elements, such as ventilation and warming, the health of houses, petty management, noise, variety, food intake, bedding, light, cleanliness, chattering, and observation (Nightingale, 1860). This model was based on the combination of theoretical and practical training, as well as professional differentiation among nursing staff for the training of management and teaching staff.
It should be noted that Nightingales’ principles of care are highly relevant for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. Nightingale collaborated with others to create a disease nomenclature and hospital reporting charts. In other words, care after mentally troubled individuals should involve an attentive focus on the environment in which the key treatments and procedures are provided. Also, in 1860 her famous “Notes on nursing: What it is, and what it is not” was published. In this work, the author paid special attention to the purposeful observation of the patient and the interpretation of the symptoms of the disease, which is the basis of good care (Nightingale, 1860). In addition, Nightingale draws attention to the duty of a nurse to be critical of her experience and constantly improve her knowledge and skills. In this regard, the principles of training for nursing personnel described by Nightingale become understandable.
Reference
Nightingale, F. (1860). Notes on nursing: What it is, and what it is not. Harrison and Sons.