Florence Nightingale racist? Its history and contribution to racism in nursing

Abstract

The objective was to reflect on Florence Nightingale's contribution, through her history, to racism in nursing. This theoretical-reflective study utilized 37 sources, including books, articles, and websites, without a specific temporal delimitation. Thus, Florence Nightingale, known as the pioneer of nursing, played a fundamental role in advancing nursing practices, significantly contributing to their development and modernization. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that her trajectory is also marked by racist practices. It is necessary to highlight less mentioned aspects of her history, such as her belief in British colonialism, the exaltation of white culture, and the perception that Black and Indigenous peoples were inferior races, often blaming them for their own deaths due to being considered "a declining people". Moreover, during the recruitment of volunteers to assist the wounded in the Crimean War, Florence rejected Mary Jane Seacole, a highly qualified Black woman, solely due to her race. Later, individuals with her educational standards were also not accepted into schools, thus contributing to the perpetuation of racism, which is still evident today in the disparity of important positions and the number of Black professionals in nursing. These reflections aim to encourage nurses to explore new approaches that promote more inclusive stances in the profession, recognizing that racism has exerted (and continues to exert) influence on the history of nursing.