Florence Nightingale: a 19th-century mystic.
Journal of holistic nursing : official journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association March 1, 2010 Barbara M Dossey
Florence Nightingale's life and work were driven by a mystical calling she received at age 16, which motivated her to become a practicing mystic in the Western tradition. This spiritual practice was the primary source of her energy and influence. The article examines her motivation and inspiration by drawing parallels between her life and three recognized women mystics. Her leadership of nurses during the Crimean War (1854-1856) at Scutari, Turkey, brought her to world attention as a spiritual beacon. Her key achievement was pioneering the modern administrative role of nurse superintendent, using measurable outcomes supported by irrefutable data, which became the foundation of her life's work.