Florence Nightingale was named after her birthplace, Florence, Italy. When she was almost one year old, she returned with her family to England. Florence often helped her mother give out food to the poor. As she grew older, she decided to become a nurse. Her family was shocked because nursing was not a good job at that time. But Florence kept on her decision. She studied books on medicine. Later, she visited hospitals in France, Germany and Ireland and learned everything she could.
In 1854, Britain was at war with Russia. Florence went to the British hospital and she was shocked. The condition in the hospital was poor and bad. The hospital left men lying on the floor, and mice were everywhere. Many people died before receiving help.
The doctors wouldn't listen to Florence because they didn't like the idea of women in hospitals — until one day 500 unexpected patients arrived. They soon realized that Florence could give a hand. Florence made changes. She made sure the patients were washed and their wounds were cared for. Every night she would check the patients with her lamp(灯).
When she returned home after the war, people raised money for her. Many of the people she had nursed had given away money. Finally she set up the Nightingale Training School in London.
After years of hard work, Florence Nightingale saw cleaner and more cheerful hospitals. Nursing became an honored（受尊敬的） job. All of this was because of the "lady with the lamp".
