9 Famous Nurses in History

Image of professional woman smiling at camera
Written by Ann Real, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare
A statue of Florence Nightingale, one of the most famous nurses.

The nursing field has witnessed countless stories of courageous, inspiring, and inventive nurses who continue to influence nursing practice today. From the revolutionary Florence Nightingale, whose lamp illuminated the path for modern nursing, to prominent visionaries whose nursing theories redefined the profession, these famous nurses brought change and innovation into the medical field. Let’s journey into the past and reflect on the trailblazers of nursing. Who were the change-makers that shaped the traditions of modern nursing?

In this article, we’ll uncover the stories of nine famous nurses in history. We’ll explore their legacies and impact and share some famous nursing quotes for inspiration.

Top image: The Guard’s Crimean War Memorial in London, which includes a statue of Florence Nightingale.

Famous Nurses: 9 Icons to Spark Nursing Inspiration

1. Clara Barton (1821–1912)

Clara Barton.

Image source: National Park Service

Life: Clara Barton was born in 1821 in Massachusetts. She began her nursing career during the American Civil War, providing care to wounded soldiers on the front lines. Barton later founded the American Red Cross in 1881, joining the ranks of famous nurses who have shaped the profession.

Contribution: Clara Barton’s primary contribution was the establishment of the American Red Cross, an organization dedicated to humanitarian aid during disasters. Her nursing efforts during the Civil War and her commitment to providing assistance in times of crisis had a lasting impact on global humanitarian efforts.

Legacy: Barton’s legacy teaches us the importance of humanitarian service and the need for organized, international responses to crises. Her work with the Red Cross highlights the impact that dedicated individuals can have on the well-being of communities worldwide.

Famous quote:

“I have an almost complete disregard of precedent, and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I go for anything new that might improve the past.” ― Clara Barton

2. Edith Cavell (1865–1915)

Edith Cavell.

Image source: Britannica

Life: Edith Louisa Cavell was born in 1865 in England. She was a nurse and a World War I heroine, establishing herself as one of the courageous and noteworthy famous nurses of her time. She was trained as a nurse in London and later worked in Belgium.

Contribution: Edith Cavell’s major contribution was her courageous work as a nurse in German-occupied Belgium during World War I. Despite the risks, she helped over 200 Allied soldiers escape to the neutral Netherlands. Her commitment to saving lives extended to soldiers from both sides of the conflict. Cavell’s actions led to her arrest by German authorities. Despite international appeals for clemency, she was executed by firing squad in 1915. Her death stirred public outrage and became a symbol of the senselessness of war.

Legacy: Edith Cavell’s legacy is one of bravery and compassion. Her story continues to inspire nurses worldwide, emphasizing the profound impact that nurses can have during times of crisis. Her selfless dedication to the well-being of others remains a testament to the core values of nursing, contributing to her enduring status as a famous nurse in history.

Famous quote:

“I can’t stop while there are lives to be saved.” ― Edith Cavell

3. Dorothea Dix (1802–1887)

Dorothea Dix.

Image source: National Park Service

Life: Dorothea Dix, born in 1802 in Maine, was a teacher and later a reformist. She is a pioneer in psychiatric nursing, advocating for the mentally ill and working tirelessly to improve their treatment.

Contribution: Dix’s contribution lies in her advocacy for mental health reform, making her one of the most influential and compassionate famous nurses of her time. She played a key role in the establishment of mental asylums in the United States, working to provide humane treatment for the mentally ill during a time when they were often neglected or mistreated.

Legacy: Dix’s commitment to mental health reform teaches us about the importance of advocating for vulnerable populations. Her work serves as a reminder to address mental health with compassion and understanding, seeking systemic improvements to better support those in need.

Famous quote:

“Life is not to be expended in vain regrets. No day, no hour, comes but brings in its train work to be performed for some useful end — the suffering to be comforted, the wandering led home, the sinner reclaimed. Oh! How can any fold the hands to rest and say to the spirit, ‘Take thine ease, for all is well!’” ― Dorothea Dix

4. Lucy Higgs Nichols (1838–1915)

Lucy Higgs Nichols.

Image source: The Carnegie Center

Life: Born into slavery around 1838, Lucy Higgs Nichols gained her freedom and became a remarkable figure during the American Civil War. She was enslaved in Tennessee but managed to escape to a Union camp with her family.

Contribution: Nichols’s notable contribution lies in her service as a nurse with the 23rd Indiana Regiment during the Civil War. Despite facing challenges and discrimination as an African American woman, she courageously cared for wounded and ill soldiers on the battlefield. Her dedication extended beyond the war, as she settled in Indiana and continued her nursing career, providing crucial medical support to her community.

Legacy: Nichols’s legacy is one of resilience, bravery, and community service. Her story underscores the contributions of famous Black nurses during critical periods in history, emphasizing the need to recognize and celebrate the achievements of individuals from all backgrounds in the healthcare field.

Interesting fact:

Lucy Higgs Nichols was the only female honorary member of the Grand Army of the Republic until her death in 1915.
 

5. Florence Nightingale (1820–1910)

Florence Nightingale.

Image source: History Channel

Life: Florence Nightingale was born in Italy in 1820. She came from a wealthy British family but chose to pursue nursing against her family’s wishes. Nightingale received formal training in Germany and later became known as the founder of modern nursing.

Contribution: Florence Nightingale’s contributions to nursing are monumental. During the Crimean War, she and a team of nurses improved sanitation in military hospitals. Nightingale’s statistical analysis and emphasis on hygiene laid the foundation for professional nursing standards.

Legacy: Nightingale’s emphasis on data-driven decision-making and environmental nursing theories remain relevant today. Her leadership in nursing provides inspiration for nursing professionals today to take on leadership roles, advocate for patient rights, and contribute to shaping the future of healthcare.

Famous quote:

“The greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.” ― Florence Nightingale

6. Margaret Sanger (1879–1966)

Margaret Sanger.

Image Source: Public Broadcasting Service

Life: Margaret Sanger was born in New York in 1879. She began her nursing career in the early 20th century and later became a prominent advocate for women’s reproductive rights.

Contribution: Sanger’s primary contribution was her role in the establishment of the American Birth Control League, which evolved into Planned Parenthood. She worked to promote family planning, access to contraceptives, and women’s reproductive autonomy, solidifying her legacy among famous nurses who left her mark in the healthcare field.

Legacy: Sanger’s advocacy teaches us the importance of reproductive rights and the need for accessible healthcare services. Her efforts paved the way for advancements in family planning and reproductive health, emphasizing the importance of empowering individuals to make informed choices about their bodies.

Famous quote:

“Life has taught me one supreme lesson. This is that we must — if we are really to live at all, if we are to enjoy the life more abundant promised by the Sages of Wisdom — we must put our convictions into action. My remuneration has been that I have been privileged to act out my faith.” ― Margaret Sanger

7. Mary Seacole (1805–1881)

Mary Seacole.

Image source: National Geographic

Life: Mary Seacole was born in Jamaica in 1805. She learned nursing skills from her mother, who was a healer. Seacole faced racial and gender discrimination but traveled independently to the Crimean War to provide care to soldiers, establishing herself as one of the independent famous nurses of her time.

Contribution: Mary Seacole’s contribution during the Crimean War was remarkable. She established the British Hotel to care for sick and injured soldiers, demonstrating her resilience and medical expertise. Seacole’s legacy challenges stereotypes and highlights the importance of diversity in healthcare.

Legacy: Seacole’s story encourages us to confront and overcome prejudices in the healthcare field. Her determination and multicultural approach to healing emphasize the need for diversity and inclusion in modern healthcare systems.

Famous quote:

“I am not ashamed to confess that I love to be of service to those who need a woman’s help. And wherever the need arises — on whatever distant shore — I ask no greater or higher privilege than to minister to it.” ― Mary Seacole

8. Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail (1903–1981)

Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail.

Image source: Montana Public Radio

Life: Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail, born in 1903, was a Crow Native American nurse from Montana. She received her nursing education at St. Vincent’s Hospital; Her training included both Western medical practices and traditional Indigenous healing methods. She overcame numerous challenges, including cultural biases and discrimination, to pursue a career in nursing.

Contribution: Yellowtail played a crucial role in advocating for the inclusion of Indigenous traditions and cultural competence in healthcare. As a prominent Indigenous nurse, she contributed to bridging the gap between Western medicine and traditional healing practices, standing out as one of the pioneering famous nurses in the field of holistic health.

Legacy: Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail’s legacy endures as a symbol of cultural inclusivity in healthcare. She emphasized the importance of respecting the patient’s cultural beliefs and integrating diverse perspectives in healthcare. Her advocacy encourages modern healthcare practitioners to consider the cultural backgrounds of patients for more effective and inclusive care.

Interesting fact:

Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail received several honors and awards for her contributions to nursing and healthcare, including the President’s Award for Outstanding Nursing and the National Indian Health Board’s Outstanding Service Award.

9. Walt Whitman (1819–1892)

Walt Whitman.

Image source: Britannica

Life: Walt Whitman, born in 1819 in New York, was a prolific American poet, essayist, and journalist. During the Civil War, he volunteered as a nurse, making a mark not just in literature but also alongside other famous nurses who shaped healthcare with their skills and compassion.

Contribution: Whitman’s life took an unexpected turn during the American Civil War. Deeply moved by the suffering of wounded soldiers, he volunteered as a nurse in military hospitals in Washington, DC. His experiences in the hospitals deeply influenced his later poetry, evident in works like “The Wound Dresser,” where he vividly depicted the realities of war and the human cost of conflict.

Legacy: Walt Whitman’s legacy is multifaceted, encompassing both his contributions to literature and his humanitarian efforts during the Civil War. His life teaches us about the potential for creativity and compassion to intersect, offering valuable lessons for healthcare professionals today on the therapeutic power of the arts and the importance of holistic care.

Famous quote:

“Re-examine all that you have been told… dismiss that which insults your soul.” ― Walt Whitman

Find Your Own Path to Excellence

Inspired by the legacies of these famous nurses? If you are looking to leave your mark in healthcare history, IntelyCare can help you get matched with nursing jobs that align with your goals. Find a job that offers purpose, meaning, and fulfillment.