Nursing is one of the most compassionate, challenging, and vital professions in the world. Every day, nurses step into their roles as caregivers, advocates, educators, and life-savers. But behind the scrubs and stethoscopes lies a powerful history filled with extraordinary individuals who have shaped the future of healthcare. To help share that amazing history, we’re taking a heartfelt journey through time to celebrate the stories of famous nurses who made a real difference, not just in medicine, but in the lives of millions.
With National Nurses Week upon us once again, we feel it’s important to celebrate the history and purpose of an amazing profession. That’s why we’re exploring how National Nurses Week ties into the history of nursing — and the inspirational journeys of nurses from all walks of life who paved the way for modern nursing.
The Spirit Behind National Nurses Week
Each year, National Nurses Week takes place from May 6 to May 12, culminating on the birthday of Florence Nightingale. This timing isn’t accidental. Known as the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale was a pioneer whose work during the Crimean War changed the landscape of hospital care forever. Her commitment to hygiene, care, and data-driven medical reform laid the foundation for the profession as we know it today.
National Nurses Week honors not just Florence Nightingale, but all nurses who follow in her footsteps — bringing compassion, skill, and strength to every bedside and community they serve. It’s a time to recognize famous nurses who helped build a profession that continues to touch lives in profound ways.
A Brief History of the Nursing Profession
The roots of nursing can be traced back to ancient civilizations where caregiving was often a spiritual or familial duty. In early history, religious institutions played a major role in healthcare, and nursing was frequently performed by monks, nuns, or laypeople. But the professionalization of nursing began in earnest in the 19th century, largely thanks to Florence Nightingale.
Nightingale’s work during the Crimean War demonstrated that proper sanitation, ventilation, and compassionate care could drastically reduce mortality rates. After the war, she established the Nightingale School of Nursing in London, which trained women to become professional nurses and sparked similar institutions around the world.
From that point forward, nursing evolved into a respected career path requiring formal education, clinical training, and licensure. Over time, nurses became leaders in public health, policy, military medicine, and advanced practice. Today, their roles are as diverse as their backgrounds — and so are the contributions of the famous nurses we’re about to meet.
8 Famous Nurses Who Made a Difference
Let’s shine a light on a group of inspiring, famous nurses who each left an indelible mark on the profession through their courage, innovation, and unwavering compassion.
1. Florence Nightingale
We couldn’t start this list without the iconic Florence Nightingale. Born in 1820, she revolutionized battlefield medicine during the Crimean War by introducing cleanliness, nutrition, and empathy into care. Her legacy is so profound that International Nurses Day is held on her birthday. She is the blueprint for all famous nurses who followed.
2. Mary Eliza Mahoney
Mary Eliza Mahoney was the first African American licensed nurse in the United States. Graduating in 1879, Mahoney broke racial barriers at a time when opportunities for Black women in medicine were extremely limited. She co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses, which advocated for equality and professional development. Her trailblazing spirit earned her a spot among the most famous nurses in American history.
3. Clara Barton
Known as the “Angel of the Battlefield” during the Civil War, Clara Barton was a fearless nurse who later founded the American Red Cross. She worked tirelessly to deliver medical supplies, comfort soldiers, and reunite families. Her contributions made her one of the most respected and famous nurses of the 19th century.
4. Edith Cavell
A British nurse during World War I, Edith Cavell, treated wounded soldiers on both sides of the conflict. Her humanitarian ethics transcended national borders. Cavell also helped over 200 Allied soldiers escape from occupied Belgium. She was executed by German forces in 1915, but her bravery turned her into a global symbol of nursing courage and integrity.
5. Ildaura Murillo-Rohde
Dr. Ildaura Murillo-Rohde was a Panamanian-American nurse who specialized in psychiatric nursing and founded the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. She was a strong advocate for cultural competence in healthcare, believing that people receive better care when nurses understand their cultural backgrounds. Her leadership makes her one of the most influential Latina voices among famous nurses.
6. Hazel W. Johnson-Brown
Hazel W. Johnson-Brown broke both racial and gender barriers when she became the first African American female general in the United States Army and the first Black Chief of the Army Nurse Corps. She commanded thousands of nurses during her tenure and mentored countless others. Her rise to leadership places her firmly on the list of famous nurses who inspired change in military medicine.
7. Lillian Wald
Lillian Wald was a pioneer in public health nursing. In the late 1800s, she founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City, offering health care and social services to underserved communities, especially immigrants. She believed that nursing should extend beyond hospitals and into the community. Her advocacy work and compassion rank her among the most socially influential nurses in U.S. history.
8. Margaret Sanger
Margaret Sanger began her career as a nurse before becoming a leading advocate for women’s reproductive rights. She opened the first birth control clinic in the United States in 1916 and continued important work throughout her career that transformed women’s health care and access to family planning.
9. Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail
One of the first Native American registered nurses in the U.S., Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail, dedicated her life to improving health care for Indigenous communities. She advocated against the sterilization of Native women without consent and worked to ensure culturally sensitive care. Her legacy is honored as a bridge between traditional medicine and modern nursing.
10. Naomi Judd
Before becoming a country music legend, Naomi Judd worked as a nurse, using her training to support her family and care for people in need. Her story is a reminder that nurses often lead multifaceted lives and that the compassion they bring to their work can echo far beyond hospital walls. She later became a mental health advocate, speaking openly about her own struggles to help others heal.
The Lasting Impact of Famous Nurses
The contributions of these and other famous nurses go far beyond the wards they worked in. They shaped policies, improved health systems, and opened doors for generations of nurses after them. Their stories show that nursing is not just a job — it’s a calling rooted in justice, compassion, and innovation.
From creating new standards in hygiene to advocating for civil rights and mental health care, these nurses remind us that progress often starts with one determined person who refuses to give up. Today’s nurses continue this legacy in hospitals, clinics, schools, disaster zones, and remote villages around the world.
National Nurses Week is the perfect time to honor both the famous nurses who changed the world and the everyday heroes who keep it running. Whether they’re working night shifts in the ER, organizing vaccination drives, comforting people in hospice care, or mentoring the next generation, nurses deserve all the recognition we can give.
By learning about nurses throughout history, we not only celebrate the past but also invest in the future of nursing. Their stories remind us that bravery comes in many forms — and often wears scrubs.
We Help Nurses Thrive
Nursing is more than a profession; it’s a legacy built by those who saw suffering and chose to do something about it. So this National Nurses Week, let’s remember the incredible women and men who made nursing what it is today — a powerful force for good in an ever-changing world.
At Care Options for Kids, creating a career and a community where nurses can truly thrive is at the core of everything we do. We believe that when nurses feel supported and have access to the right tools, they’re empowered to provide exceptional care. That’s why we offer around-the-clock assistance through a dedicated 24/7 support line, giving nurses the help they need whenever they need it. We’re also committed to fostering growth by sharing knowledge, offering expert insights, and guiding newer nurses.
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