List of nurses facts for kids

This article is about some of the most famous nurses throughout history. These amazing people helped shape healthcare and cared for others, often in difficult times. You'll learn about their important contributions to nursing, from battlefields to hospitals and communities.

Pioneers of Nursing

Florence Nightingale, known as the founder of modern nursing.

Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first professionally trained African-American nurse.

• Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) is often called the founder of modern nursing. She became famous for her work during the Crimean War, where she improved hygiene and care for wounded soldiers. Her efforts saved many lives and changed how hospitals were run.

• Mary Seacole (1805-1881) was a Jamaican-British nurse who also helped soldiers in the Crimean War. She was known for her kindness and for using traditional remedies. Many called her "the Black Florence Nightingale."

• Linda Richards (1841-1930) was America's first professionally trained nurse. She helped set up nursing schools and improved patient records. Her work made nursing a more organized and respected profession.

• Mary Eliza Mahoney (1845-1946) was the first professionally trained African-American nurse. She worked hard to fight for equal opportunities in nursing. Her bravery opened doors for many others.

• Dorothea Dix (1802-1887) was a superintendent of Army Nurses during the American Civil War. She worked to improve conditions for people with mental illnesses and helped organize nurses for the Union Army.

• Clara Barton (1821-1912) organized the American Red Cross. She was a dedicated nurse during the American Civil War. Her work helped provide aid and comfort to soldiers and civilians during conflicts and disasters.

• Jeanne Mance (1606-1673) was a French nurse who helped found the first hospital in Montreal, Canada, in 1645. She was a true pioneer in healthcare in North America.

• Sophie Mannerheim (1863-1928) was a key figure in developing modern nursing in Finland. She worked to improve nursing education and standards in her country.

• Lillian Wald (1867-1940) founded visiting nursing in the U.S. She believed healthcare should be available to everyone, especially those in poor communities. She brought nursing care directly to people's homes.

• Mary Adelaide Nutting (1858-1948) was a Canadian nurse and educator. She was a pioneer in hospital care and helped shape nursing education in the early 20th century.

• Hildegard Peplau was a nursing theorist who developed the idea of "interpersonal relations" in nursing. This means nurses should build strong, helpful relationships with their patients.

Nurses in Wartime

Mary Ann Bickerdyke, a Civil War nurse known as "Mother Bickerdyke."

Vivian Bullwinkel, a brave Australian nurse and a survivor of a wartime massacre.

Ann Agnes Bernatitus, one of the "Angels of Bataan" during World War II.

Lenah Higbee, a pioneering U.S. Navy nurse during World War I.

• Mary Ann Bickerdyke (1817-1901) was a nurse during the American Civil War. She was known as "Mother Bickerdyke" for her tireless efforts in caring for soldiers.

• Edith Cavell (1865-1915) was a British nurse and a heroine of World War I. She helped hundreds of Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium. She was executed for her actions, becoming a symbol of courage.

• Vivian Bullwinkel (1915-2000) was an Australian nurse and the only survivor of the Bangka Island massacre during World War II. She became a symbol of the bravery of Australian service nurses.

• Ann A. Bernatitus (1912-2003) was one of the "Angels of Bataan," a group of U.S. Navy nurses who served bravely in the Philippines during World War II.

• Lenah Higbee (1874-1941) was a pioneering U.S. Navy nurse during World War I. She became the second superintendent of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps.

• Elsa Brändström (1888-1948) was a Swedish Red Cross nurse during World War I. She became known as the "Angel of Siberia" for her work helping prisoners of war.

• Violetta Thurstan (1879-1978) was a nurse in World War I. She was recognized for her bravery and service during the conflict.

• Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was a famous American poet who also served as a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War. He cared for wounded soldiers in Washington D.C. hospitals.

Nurses Who Made a Difference

Nelly Garzón Alarcón, a leader in international nursing.

Margaret Sanger, a nurse who championed women's health.

• Mary Carson Breckinridge (1881-1965) founded the Frontier Nursing Service. This service provided healthcare to families in rural areas of Kentucky, often using horseback to reach patients.

• Ethel Gordon Fenwick (1856-1947) was a British nurse who campaigned for nurses to be officially "registered." This helped make nursing a recognized and regulated profession.

• Hazel Johnson-Brown (1927-2011) was the first African-American head of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. She broke barriers and inspired many.

• June Jolly (1928–2016) was a British pioneer in children's nursing. She worked to improve care for young patients.

• Eunice Muringo Kiereini (born 1939) was the Chief Nursing Officer of Kenya and the first African president of the International Council of Nurses. She played a big role in global nursing leadership.

• Margaret Sanger (1879-1966) was an American nurse who championed women's health and family planning. She believed women should have control over their own bodies and health decisions.

• Mabel Keaton Staupers (1890-1989) was an advocate for racial equality in nursing during a time of segregation in America. She fought for African-American nurses to have equal opportunities.

• Adah Belle Samuels Thoms (1870-1943) was a pioneering African-American rights activist. She fought for African-American nurses to be allowed to serve in the U.S. armed forces.

• Florence Wald (1917-2008) is considered the founder of the hospice movement in the U.S. She believed in providing comfort and care to people nearing the end of their lives.

• Jean Watson is an American nurse theorist known for her "Theory of Human Caring." This theory emphasizes the importance of compassion and holistic care in nursing.

• Kapelwa Sikota (1928 – 2006) was the first Zambian registered nurse. Her achievement marked an important step for nursing in her country.

• Daphne Steele (1929-2004) was the first Black Matron in the British NHS. She broke barriers and became a leader in healthcare.

Other Notable Nurses

Mary Todd Lincoln, who volunteered as a nurse during the American Civil War.

• Martha Ballard (1735-1812) was an American frontier midwife. She kept detailed diaries that give us a glimpse into life and healthcare in early America.

• Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882) was the wife of President Abraham Lincoln. She volunteered as a nurse during the American Civil War, caring for wounded soldiers.

• Harriet Tubman (c. 1822-1913) was a famous African-American abolitionist who helped many enslaved people escape to freedom. She also served as a nurse during the American Civil War.

• Jo Brand (born 1957) is a British nurse who later became a well-known comedian.

• Richard Carmona (born 1949) was the Surgeon General of the United States. He started his career as a nurse and paramedic.

• Kate Marsden (1859-1931) was a British missionary nurse who traveled to Siberia to help people suffering from leprosy.

• Charlotte Munck (1876–1932) was a Danish nurse who played an important role in training nurses in her country.

• Nigar Shikhlinskaya (1871-1931) was the first Azerbaijani nurse. She made significant contributions to nursing in her homeland.

• Schwester Selma (1884-1984) was a German-Jewish head nurse in Jerusalem. She was known for her dedication and was sometimes called "the Jewish Florence Nightingale."

• Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was a famous American poet who also served as a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War. He cared for wounded soldiers in Washington D.C. hospitals.

Images for kids

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  Mary Todd Lincoln, who volunteered as a nurse during the American Civil War.

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  Walt Whitman, the famous American poet who also served as a nurse.