Where in the world is Florence Nightingale's medicine chest?

BACKGROUND: In the 121st anniversary year of the birth of Florence Nightingale, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is both interesting and salient to be reminded of the foundational work of this famous woman who began modern nursing. Her work in nursing care and nursing, health and public policy has been a continuing strong foundation to practices in societies around the world. METHODS: In this short communication about historical research, various aspects of Florence's life and work are described, as well as the locations, memorials and museum significant to our remembrance of her. RESULTS: A particular focus of this paper is the description of a larger but little-known medicine chest located at the College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon, SK, Canada, and attributed as belonging to Florence. CONCLUSION: Best known to this point in time is a smaller medicine chest at the Florence Nightingale Museum in London.

Forensic nursing educational development: an integrated review of the literature.

The forensic area of practice has been a popular career choice and area of study for many of the health science disciplines. Forensic nursing is a nursing specialty with subspecialties that focus on nursing practice who care for victims and offenders, living and deceased at the clinical legal interface. This integrated review of the literature overviewed the historical development of each of the forensic nursing subspecialties and identified gaps in specialty nursing educational development. Although multiple studies for the last 30 years identified the need for forensic nursing education, recommendations did not soon translate into educational curriculum development. The literature showed that role development was not concurrent with educational development in all forensic nursing subspecialties.

Forensic family genogram. An assessment & intervention tool.

The forensic genogram is a three-generational graphic description of a patient's family, and as an assessment tool, it is applicable to any forensic nurse whether working in assessment or treatment areas. The forensic genogram is also an intervention. Nurses using this tool have found that offenders appreciate seeing the patterns in their lives as a beginning to their understanding of their personal circumstances. As part of the legal chart, the forensic family genogram serves as a graphic database for information and could routinely accompany the court letter, providing the judge, the prosecutor and the defense with additional knowledge at a glance. The author recommends the forensic genogram tool for student nurses beginning to understand the complexities of the forensic offender population. The forensic genogram may provide further information that facilitates health promotion, cost containment, and a further understanding of the events and factors in the individual lives of offenders that have resulted in their current situations before the courts. The author wishes to acknowledge the influence of Drs. Wright, Bell, and Watson, during graduate studies at the University of Calgary in the early '90s. Over the years these internationally renowned nursing specialists have introduced nurses globally to the important work of family systems nursing.

Spousal abuse/homicide. A current issue in health risk management.

Domestic homicides shocked Calgary in 1995. As the year drew to a close, statistics revealed that 5 of the city's 18 murders were at the hands of an abusive spouse, former spouse, or boyfriend. This prompted women across the city to campaign for more protection for women. Press conferences were held in which Calgary's most prominent women's groups called for tougher action against violent offenders. With 1996 over the halfway mark, one case of spousal homicide has occurred. Although statistics are down from this time last year, it is an event that should not have occurred. Although public awareness and pressure led to more women's shelters and programs, these results were tertiary measures. This level of prevention deals with "after the crisis response" to the event and is reactive in its approach. Proactive or primary measures which reduce the risk of the problem starting are now being called for. Throughout history, health care professionals have been called upon to assist the legal system in the prosecution of cases where patient care overlaps with the law, or where the law and physiological realities collide. However not until recently have nurses had the opportunity to study within the field in a formal, organized manner (Lynch, 1995). The shift toward community-based rather than institutional care brings health care professionals in direct contact with cases of abuse and neglect in their natural settings. Early warning signs and symptoms of interpersonal violence will go unreported until nurses are taught to include these in their observations. Nursing programs now prepare nurses for this new specialty practice. Although calls for changes to the restraining orders and greater police protection for women in volatile situations are perfectly understandable, no one pretends they are the answer. The solution begins with spreading the very basic understanding throughout society that women are not property to be exploited or targets for venting anger. To effect change, spousal abuse must be viewed as a primary health care issue that affects us all, as well as being a social and human rights issue. It would benefit our society to become as incensed over spousal abuse as we are over drunk driving. Spousal abuse is a criminal offense and should be treated as such. Ending spousal abuse will require a significant reevaluation of human relationships, a much decreased public tolerance of violence and its depiction, and economic and political conditions that promote equality and a greater ability to control one's own life, but not others (MacLeod, 1994). This analysis of Calgary's response to the domestic homicides of 1995 is a risk-management approach of how the city dealt with this critical problem. With a greater focus on risk management strategies, along with public education and a greater interface with law enforcement agencies, forensic nurses will help reduce the sequelae of human violence; specifically, the fatalities of spousal abuse.

After the crime, before the trial.

The eighth-floor lounge of Calgary General Hospital's Forensic Unit affords an unimpeded view of the city's skyline. But behind its barless windows is a locked, high-security area housing individuals charged under the justice system. In most cases they are there for a 30-day psychiatric assessment to determine their fitness to stand trial for charges ranging from loitering to sexual assault to first degree murder. In all cases they are there for high quality psychiatric care provided by a multidisciplinary team, of which nurses are key members.