Florence Nightingale was a leader in nursing whose writings led to the foundation of many of our current nursing philosophies and theoretical models. Although there have been significant changes in our society and health care since her era, one can identify evidence of her writings and practice in current nursing practice.
For this assignment, read Nightingales Environmental Theory published by Margaret Hegge in Nursing Science Quarterly 26(3), 211-219.
In this article, Dr. Hegge describes the environmental theory from Nightingales experiences. In your writing, please address the following topics:
Introduction to the main topic of the paper.
Describe Nightingale’s Theory.
Explain the current (actual or potential) environmental problem faced by patients or communities. Be sure that the problem is within the past 5 years and show the impact of the environment on the health problem. Discuss political influences, policy issues, and legal influences on the problem. Examples of current environmental problems include: Covid 19, Flint Water Crisis, Air pollution etc.
Compare and contrast one other discipline (e.g., PT,OT,Pharmacy, Social Work, Nutrition etc.) with nursing in examining the problem.
Discuss stakeholders and resources involved in examining the problem
Discuss outcomes. How will you measure the success of the solutions you propose?.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Relevance of Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory in Addressing Modern Environmental Health Issues
Introduction
Florence Nightingale, known as the founder of modern nursing, developed a profound understanding of the relationship between the environment and health. Her Environmental Theory emphasized the importance of sanitary conditions, fresh air, clean water, and adequate nutrition in promoting health and preventing illness. Although her practices date back to the 19th century, the core tenets of her theory remain applicable today, especially when examining contemporary environmental health issues. In this paper, we will explore Nightingale’s Environmental Theory as articulated by Margaret Hegge, discuss a current environmental problem—the COVID-19 pandemic—and compare nursing’s approach with that of another discipline. We will also examine the stakeholders involved and propose methods for measuring success in addressing this issue.
Nightingale’s Theory
Nightingale’s Environmental Theory posits that a healthy environment is essential for patient recovery and well-being. She identified several key components of the environment that influence health outcomes, including ventilation, warmth, cleanliness, light, noise control, and diet. Nightingale believed that nurses should actively manipulate these environmental factors to promote healing. Her writings laid the groundwork for nursing philosophies that prioritize holistic care and advocate for the health of communities, emphasizing that nurses have a critical role in addressing environmental conditions that impact health.
Current Environmental Problem: COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a significant environmental health crisis over the past five years. The virus spreads through airborne particles in crowded and poorly ventilated spaces, highlighting the importance of environmental factors in disease transmission. Areas with high pollution levels have been linked to increased severity of COVID-19 symptoms, indicating a clear relationship between environmental conditions and health outcomes.
Political Influences, Policy Issues, and Legal Influences
The pandemic has exposed various political and policy challenges. Governments have had to balance public health measures with economic interests, leading to contentious debates about lockdowns and mask mandates. Additionally, disparities in healthcare access have become evident, raising legal issues surrounding equitable distribution of resources such as vaccines and medical care. Policy decisions regarding public health funding and environmental regulations directly affect community resilience against pandemics.
Comparing Nursing with Social Work
When examining the COVID-19 crisis, an interesting comparison can be made between nursing and social work. While nurses focus on direct patient care and managing health-related issues stemming from environmental factors (e.g., promoting hygiene practices), social workers address the broader social determinants of health that are exacerbated by environmental crises. They work to connect individuals and families with resources, provide mental health support, and advocate for systemic change. Both disciplines recognize the interplay between environment and health but approach it from different angles—nursing primarily from a biomedical perspective, while social work emphasizes social justice and community support.
Stakeholders and Resources
Addressing the environmental impacts of COVID-19 involves a diverse range of stakeholders, including:
– Healthcare Professionals: Nurses, physicians, and public health officials who manage patient care.
– Government Agencies: State and local health departments responsible for policy implementation and community education.
– Environmental Organizations: Groups advocating for cleaner air and better public health policies.
– Community Members: Individuals who can provide insights into local needs and challenges.
Resources needed to address these challenges include funding for public health initiatives, access to personal protective equipment (PPE), educational materials for communities, and infrastructure improvements to enhance ventilation in public spaces.
Outcomes and Measuring Success
To gauge the effectiveness of solutions proposed to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 through environmental improvements, several outcomes can be measured:
1. Reduction in Infection Rates: Tracking case numbers before and after the implementation of community-wide interventions.
2. Improvement in Air Quality: Monitoring pollution levels in vulnerable areas over time.
3. Access to Healthcare Services: Evaluating changes in healthcare utilization rates among underserved populations.
4. Community Engagement: Assessing participation rates in educational programs about hygiene and environmental health.
In conclusion, Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory provides a timeless framework for understanding the critical role of environmental factors in health care. By applying her principles to contemporary issues such as COVID-19, nurses can advocate for holistic approaches that encompass not only clinical care but also environmental health policy. The collaboration between nursing and other disciplines such as social work can further enhance community resilience and improve health outcomes in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.
