Mother - No, it's because Florence Nightingale was a nurse who visited patients at night during the Crimean War. Also she represented a positive force during dark times.
Boy - Was she a good person?
Mother - She did what she could and stood up for herself and others. She introduced better practices around hygiene and published a book in 1859 called "Notes on Nursing: What It Is and What It Is Not". She saw people as a whole and understood that disease like everything else is a process. By helping someone with the simple things that encourage personal dignity such as cleaning up wounds and keeping the environment clean, quiet and organised, the patient's healing can be encouraged.
Boy - Was she a God or a deity? She makes me think of Wonder Woman. Did she have a 'Lasso of Truth'?
Mother - Ha, no, she didn't need a magical rope. She just needed the support of her friends and supporters. Please take a look at the ceiling (Boy looks up). It's really high. Also take a look at the windows; see how they let in lots of light. Natural light helps recovery. The beds also are spread out, so that the Nurses can move between them. Florence Nightingale helped to design this style of open plan ward. Stretch out your arms, breathe in, feel the air and space.
(A Nurse approaches the bed that the Mother is laying on).
Boy - Thank you for helping my Mum. Is she going to be all right?
Nurse - We will do our best for her and for you because your Mum has told us what a good boy you are.
Boy - Can I be a nurse one day?
Nurse - You listen, care about others and continue to learn. You are already part way there.
(The Boy smiles, reaches into his pocket and offers the Nurse a picture. She looks at it and places it close to her chest).
Nurse - Is this me? You know something? It also looks like my friends over there (She points at the Nursing Station at the end of the ward). I am going to cherish this picture.
(The Boy excitedly nods).
Mother - See, I told you, they would like the picture. It's honest and creative like you, son.
(The Nurse reaches over and checks the drip).
Nurse - Mrs Watson, would you like a drink? I am just going to make a cup of tea.
Mother - Yes, please. Can Jimmy have an orange juice if you have one?
Nurse - I think that can be arranged for our young artist in residence.
Barry Watt - 10th May 2026
Afterword.
Wonder Woman and 'the Lasso of Truth' are copyright to DC Comics.
Florence Nightingale's Notes on Nursing: What It Is and What It Is Not is still in print and appears to be a highly influential text as was Florence Nightingale whose birthday it would have been today, which is one of the reasons why International Nurses' Day is celebrated today.
For more on the Nursing profession and also on International Nurses' Day, please check out the Royal College of Nursing's website:
Mrs Watson and Jimmy are figments of my imagination and are not related to any living beings, although, if I see them I will send them your regards.
BW
Photos of Flowers. Flowers as fragile and ambivalent as each human life.
Barry Watt - 12th May 2026.
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