Drawing on the writings, moral vision, and enduring influence of Florence Nightingale, this book explores timeless principles that are still relevant to nursing today. Fusing historical insight with contemporary theory, it reimagines Nightingale’s legacy not as a relic, but as a dynamic guide for present-day practice.
What nursing is, and what it ought to be, has long been the subject of debate. Unlike many other health professions, nursing defies simple categorisation. Its theoretical foundations are wide-ranging, its daily practice often obscured by complexity, and its impact, though essential, frequently overlooked or misunderstood. This inherent ambiguity is part of why the notion of ‘greatness’ in nursing remains difficult to pin down. Practical Strategies for Greatness in Nursing: The Nightingale Effect confronts this issue head-on. Rather than indulging in nostalgia, this book engages critically with the real conditions of modern nursing. It draws on concepts such as 'rebel nurse leadership' and David Graeber’s theory of 'bullshit jobs' to challenge the bureaucratisation of care and to advocate for a return to values-led, purpose-driven nursing.
Designed for early-career nurses, students, and aspiring nurse leaders, this accessible book is a motivational resource for enhancing professional identity and impact.
By:
Matthew Wynn
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 216mm,
Width: 138mm,
Weight: 340g
ISBN: 9781041086123
ISBN 10: 1041086121
Pages: 82
Publication Date: 16 October 2025
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Primary
,
Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Foreword, Preface: The Nightingale Effect, Introduction: Reconceptualising Nursing Greatness: A Critical Lens on Florence Nightingale’s Legacy, 1. Advocating for Vulnerable Patients: Be the Guardian of the Silent, 2. Driving Systemic Healthcare Improvements: Heal the System, not just the Wound, 3. Leadership through Action, not Hierarchy: Lead by Light, not by Title, 4. Proactive Detection and Vigilance in Care: See the Shadows Before They Fall, 5. Lifelong Learning and Evidence-Based Practice: Cultivate Knowledge as your Greatest Tool, 6. Collaboration across Disciplines: Weave Connections, Create Unbreakable Bonds, 7. Innovating with Lessons from History: Carve New Visions from the Stones of the Past, 8. Harmonising Compassion with Critical Thinking: Master the Balance of Heart and Head, 9. Mentoring and Inspiring Future Leaders: Sow Seeds of Greatness in Others, 10. Challenging Norms to Drive Healthcare Innovation: Break the Chains of Tradition, Conclusion: Toward a Nightingalean Model of Nursing Leadership, Afterword
Matthew Wynn is a senior lecturer in adult nursing at Liverpool John Moores University, specialising in wound care, infection control, and the application of digital technologies in healthcare. His academic and clinical experience includes roles in the UK National Health Service and as a commissioned officer in the British Army Reserves. Matthew has contributed to numerous publications and conferences on a range of contemporary clinical, pedagogical, and theoretical issues related to modern nursing practice.
