Victoria Jensen facts for kids

Victoria Boline Frederikke Jensen (born 1847, died 1930) was a very important Danish nurse. She was also a deaconess, which is like a nun who helps people. From 1914, Victoria led the Danish Deaconess Institute. This was a big place where nurses were trained and cared for others. She took over from Sophie Zahrtmann. Victoria also helped start a hospital in India. This hospital was set up by a group called the Foreign Christian Missionary Society, known in Denmark as Ydre Mission.

Early Life and Training

Victoria Jensen was born in Copenhagen on January 16, 1847. Her father, Peter Jensen, sold porcelain. Her mother was Kristine Marie Hansen. Victoria grew up in the Nørrebro area of Copenhagen. She had four brothers and sisters.

When she was young, she was inspired by Rudolph Frimodt. He led a group in Copenhagen called the Inner Mission. Victoria worked as a housekeeper for a few years in Holbæk. In 1874, she began training to be a deaconess. She trained at the Copenhagen Deaconess Institute.

A Leader in Nursing

After her training, Victoria was sent to Randers Hospital. There, she worked with another deaconess, Anna Marie Boyesen. Anna Marie helped her learn even more about nursing. In 1876, Victoria became the head nurse at Frederiksberg Hospital. She stayed in this important job for 38 years! In 1877, she officially became a deaconess. She lived at the Deaconess Institute for the rest of her life.

Victoria Jensen made many big changes at Frederiksberg Hospital. She helped create a proper training system for nurses. The hospital grew a lot while she was there. It started with only 50 patients. It grew to care for as many as 700 patients. She set up different areas for different types of care. There were separate sections for medicine, surgery, and mental health.

Because of her great work in training nurses, she became an honorary member of the Danish Nurses' Organization. In 1912, Charlotte Munck was the head of this organization. She wrote that Victoria Jensen had "wise and skillful management" at the hospital.

Leading the Deaconess Institute

In 1914, Sophie Zahrtmann retired from leading the Deaconess Institute. Victoria Jensen was asked to take her place. She was 67 years old and had arthritis. She agreed to lead the institute, but only for five years.

This was a tough time because of the First World War. The institute also had money problems. But Victoria still created a new training program for young nurses. This program followed all the rules of the nurses' organization.

Other Contributions and Legacy

Victoria Jensen was also involved in other groups. She was very active in the Ydre Mission. This group helped set up a hospital in India around 1900. From 1904, she was also an active member of a new group. It was called Kristelig Forening for Sygeplejersker. This means the Christian Association for Nurses.

When Victoria retired in 1919, she received a special award. It was the Danish Medal of Merit. Victoria Jensen passed away on May 28, 1930, in Frederiksberg. She is buried in Frederiksberg Cemetery.