Just the other day, I was talking to a young nurse beginning her training at a nearby university.

I told her that she is walking in the footsteps of some great nurses – especially Florence Nightingale. She didn't know much about Florence Nightingale so I told her some of Florence's story.

Let me pass onto you some of the amazing story of a great pioneer of earlier days from whom we all benefit.

Historians tell us that Florence was born on May 12, 1820. She died August 13, 1910 aged 90 years of age. She excelled as a nurse, statistician and social reformer who laid the foundation of modern nursing.

Her efforts to formalise nursing education led her to establish the first scientifically based nursing school – the Nightingale School of Nursing in London which opened in 1860.

Such was Florence's impact on nursing and improving medical facilities that on May 12th each year in this modern era the Florence Nightingale Medal is awarded to worthy recipients around the world.

Writer, John Tiner tells us that Florence Nightingale was named after the city of Florence in Italy. She was given a good education including learning French, German, Italian, Greek and Latin.

Her wealthy parents wanted her to become a "high society" girl but this was not to be. She resisted many high society potential marriage suitors. Instead on February 7, 1837, when she was 17 years old she...