Early Life and Education
Walt Whitman was born in 1819 in West Hills, New York. He was the second of nine children in his family. His mother was a Quaker and his father a carpenter. Though raised in a non-observant Quaker household, Whitman embraced the religion during adulthood, along with many different spiritual philosophies.
Whitman was an avid reader as a child, devouring books by Homer, Dante, Shakespeare and Milton. His early education was uneven, as he did not attend school regularly. At the age of 11, Whitman was apprenticed to a printer and then went on to become a typesetter at age 13. Whitman also served as a printer’s apprentice, field worker and farmhand throughout his life.
Career Prior to Nursing
Whitman worked as a teacher in three different New York schools from 1838-1841. After becoming ill with the measles, he decided to leave the profession and took the opportunity to travel to New Orleans. He worked as a compositor, editor and printing manager, during this time.
In 1844, Whitman returned to Brooklyn and opened his own printing business. In 1846, he was appointed editor of the Long Island journal for a short period.
Whitman later sent for free tenure in New Orleans. He then returned to New York, serving as editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle in 1848. He continued to write and edit for a number of magazines and newspapers over the course of his career.
Whitman’s Nursing Career
It was during the American Civil War (1861-1865) that Whitman entered the world of nursing expressly. When the war broke out, Whitman showed little interest in it but his manner changed after he saw the distress of soldiers and their families. After witnessing the fire set to the Washington Navy Yard in 1863, he quickly bought a window curtain and used it to cover the bodies of the dead.
Seeing the level of sadness and suffering of the wounded, Whitman decided to become a volunteer nurse. He worked at several hospitals, such as the Harewood General Hospital in Washington D.C., serving continuously for 11 months, before eventually suffering a breakdown due to exhaustion and stress. During his time as a nurse, Whitman noted what he had witnessed in diaries, journals and letters, and also wrote articles for magazines about the difficulties and heartache of being a nurse.
Impact of Whitman’s Nursing Career
Whitman’s nursing career had a lasting impact on the history of nursing and his presence was particularly influential. He wrote extensively about the impact of the war on individuals, and in doing so he gave the work of nursing a human face. He elevated the understanding of nursing as more than a practical activity – as something that provided personal and emotional support to those who were in dire need. He was one of the first people to suggest that nursings duties should extend beyond the physical needs of the patient.
His writings and heartfelt accounts of his experiences are widely regarded as key components of nursing as a profession today. His dedication and compassion for those he served was also noted and respected. Whitman has been cited by historians as an individual who not only had a great respect for the human condition but also for the nurses themselves.
Legacy
Following the end of the war, Whitman returned to work as a journalist and poet. He wrote a collection of poems known as the ‘Leaves of Grass’ which gained him recognition and fame.
He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in American poetry, and his nursing career is an aspect that has often been overshadowed by his writing career. Nonetheless, Whitman’s contributions to nursing remain unparalleled. His writings about nursing provide a vivid insight into the emotional toll of serving as a nurse, as well as the passion and compassion that one can bring to the profession. His legacy has remained an inspiration to both seasoned and aspiring nurses alike.
Whitman’s Fairness in his Role
Though tempted to show favoritism to Union soldiers, Whitman refused to do so. He kept his practice of offering assistance to all in need, regardless of the patient’s loyalty. He made sure he provided equal care to former soldiers of the Confederate army, Northern soldiers, freed slaves, and civilians. He wrote heavily about being an advocate for the disabled, having formed a strong bond with them, particularly during his time in hospitals. He named those who needed medical attention and those who had lost their limbs and made sure that the public remained aware of their situation.
In his articles for magazines and diaries, Whitman discussed his appreciation for the nurses and their immense dedication to the care of their patients. He was particularly vocal about the struggles of being a nurse, often quoting his own experiences. He was also known to have spoken humbly and openly of the difficulties of being a nurse and he often sought to emphasize the importance of the profession.
Recognition
Whitman was awarded a military medal on behalf of the United States government for his outstanding work as a nurse. In 1903, Whitman was posthumously inducted into the American Nursing Hall of Fame.
Whitman is recognized as a true pioneer in the nursing profession. His ability to document the realities of being a nurse and his deep understanding of human suffering inspired many generations of nurses. His contributions to nursing strongly resonate today and his legacy still lives on.
Impact on the Field of Nursing Today
The greatest impact that Whitman had on nursing today is the realization of the importance of an individual’s actions within a team of caregivers. Through his writings, Whitman demonstrated the importance and value of every individual nurse’s contributions. His nursing and writing career inspired nurses of the present day to look upon themselves not only as practitioners and caregivers, but also as the faces of compassion, empathy and service.
Furthermore, Whitman showed that even during the most difficult and testing of times, there was still room for caring and kindness, two traits which are still valuable and at the core of nursing today. He wrote with deep emotion, expressing the tremendous courage of nurses and how they often face strong and at times insurmountable odds with a warm heart and a determined spirit.
The work of Whitman also serves as a stark reminder of the heavy burden that many nurses have long had to bear. Whitman lived in a time when death, suffering and illness were all too familiar realities, and he documented his time as a nurse at a time when medicine was still largely unexplored. In this way, his work paid tribute to the strength and dedication of nurses and the ability of human beings in general to face great adversity with hope and compassion.
Influence on Writing about Nursing
Whitman’s writings about nursing provided a unique perspective that was not often seen in literature prior to his work. His writings showcased the real, everyday hardships and triumphs of nurses at a time when they were often overlooked and neglected. He wrote of the struggling and stressed, as well as of the joyful, and in doing so, he became an early advocate of their work.
In his writings, Whitman gave voice to the nursing profession, and provided an insight into its challenges and successes. He wrote of the courage and strength that the men and women of the profession showed daily. His writings often showed the sacrifices that nurses made in order to ensure the well-being of their patients.
As a result of Whitman’s writings about nursing, the profession has gained more recognition as an essential service. His work has helped to further emphasise the selfless and dedicated work of nurses, and in doing so, has validated them on a much larger scale.
Recognition from Nurses
Today, Whitman is remembered with deep admiration and respect from nurses around the world. His ability to create connections with those he cared for has been remembered and honored for generations. He will be remembered for his legacy of appreciation and respect for the nursing profession. He showed through his writings and his dedication to his patients an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those in need. For that, he will always be remembered.
