International Nurses Day (IND) is celebrated annually on 12 May, and its 2022 theme is “Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health.” It is a day of commemorating Florence Nightingale’s birthday and paying tribute to all nursing professionals.
On the occasion of this important day we are exploring the collection Florence Nightingale Letters and sharing images of nurses at work from the World War I British press photograph collection and UBC Archives Photograph Collection.
Florence Nightingale Letters Collection
The Florence Nightingale Letters Collection consists mainly of correspondence written by and to the founder of modern nursing, acquired by UBC Woodward Library from a Boston book dealer in the 1960s. As a professional nurse and statistician, Florence Nightingale devoted her life to collecting and analyzing data for nursing and medical reform.
In 1869, Nightingale discussed at length Sir John Lawrence, his government and improvement of sanitary conditions in India.
[Letter, Florence Nightingale to Mary Mohl, March 26, 1869], 1869-03-26
In 1870, Nightingale explained that chloroform was needed at the site of the Battle of the Loire where 5000 wounded were being cared for.
[Letter, Florence Nightingale to Julius Mohl, November 17, 1870], 1870-11-17
In 1874, Nightingale was thanked for her papers on sanitary arrangements in India.
[Letter, Florence Nightingale to William Edward Nightingale, 186-?], 1874-05-12
These images from the World War I British press photograph collection and UBC Archives Photograph Collection show that nurses and nursing students do their utmost to take care of patients whenever and wherever patients are in need of care. Thank you for your dedication and selflessness!
World War I British press photograph collection
Official photograph taken on the British Western Front in France, [between 1914 and 1918?]
UBC Archives Photograph Collection
Nursing student Arlene Aish with young patient at Vancouver General Hospital, 1957
Nursing students Elsie Shpikula and Lynne Begg with young patient, [1961]
Unidentified UBC Nursing student administering medication to an orthopedic patient, [between 1970 and 1979]
UBC Nursing student walking a patient in a hospital corridor, ca. 1970s
Group photograph of Nursing students taking blood pressure of patient at Vancouver General Hospital
Nurse J. Morison, 1986-01
