Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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The Florence Nightingale Pledge. Now that I have investigated some history of the Hippocratic and Veterinarian's Oaths, It suddenly hit me that, surely, nurses must have an equivalent. Sure enough, they do--The Florence Nightingale Pledge! A devoted pioneer nurse, Lystra E. Gretter, wrote (with a committee) a first version in 1893. She, herself, within a long career revised this in 1935. The following are these two versions with only the final sentence modified, To reflect a more public health model in the later 1935 version. As a biologist, feminist, and historian, I have noticed the 'female requirements' Incorporated in the Pledge, even though (or perhaps because) It was written by a woman, still under male shackles. (The blatant anti feminist points which occur in the Pledge are printed below in upper case.) The Pledge is sometimes not used because of the stated physician's power over nurses, And this wording has been removed and replaced by 'Working together' with 'mutual respect and consideration'. 'Myself before god' is also eliminated in more modern pledges. I solemnly pledge (myself before god) and in the presence of this assembly, To pass MY LIFE IN PURITY and to practice my profession faithfully. I WILL ABSTAIN FROM WHATEVER IS DELETERIOUS AND MISCHIEVOUS, AND WILL NOT TAKE or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, And will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping, And all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. WITH LOYALTY WILL I ENDEAVOUR TO AID THE PHYSICIAN in HIS work. {1893--And devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.} {1935--And as a 'missioner of health' I will dedicate myself to devoted service to human welfare.} Several subsequent modified pledges have been devised to fit with the times. Frank Maurer 3 September 2023 1100 Hours.