About the Foundation
1910
Florence Nightingale dies aged 90. Undoubtedly, the world’s most famous nurse, her legacy and influence continues to have an effect throughout the world today.
1929
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) establishes the Florence Nightingale Foundation (formally known as the The British National Florence Nightingale Memorial Committee) as a living memorial to Florence.
1965
The annual Florence Nightingale Memorial service was held at Westminster Abbey for the first time. Each year The Lamp is carried by a nominated scholar of the Foundation and is kept in the Florence Nightingale Chapel at Westminster Abbey.
2020
A world-wide commemoration of the bicentenary of Florence’s birth to help increase the profile of nursing and midwifery and promote the recognition the profession deserves.
1910
1929
1965
2020
We are Florence Nightingale's legacy, today.
We select the best nurses and midwives in the UK to become scholars and support them in realising their potential, provoke change and introduce new practices to positively impact their patients, staff and communities. Be inspired by Florence to create your own legacy.
The whole transformational nature of what the Foundation offers its scholars carries personal and professional impact. As a direct result of my scholarship experience and development, I’m now a Nurse Consultant for Teenage Cancer Trust and I have a direct influence on how we provide care to young people with cancer, and it doesn’t get more exciting than that.
Nicky Pettitt
Nurse Consultant, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Completed ‘Emerging Leader’ Leadership scholarship in partnership with the Teenage Cancer Trust, February 2017.
We support nurses and midwives who care for you.
Healthcare is complex and challenging and today, we witness more nurses and midwives leaving than joining the profession. In response, we have strengthened our commitment to invest in nurses and midwives to develop them as leaders, impact change and most importantly, ignite their love for the profession and do the very best for their patients. Help us continue to make a difference.
800+
scholarships awarded since the Foundation has been founded.
86%
of respondents in a recent survey agreed that the Foundation had a positive effect on health and social care.
95%
of scholars identified that the scholarship had an impact on their career.
800+
scholarships awarded since the Foundation has been founded.
86%
of respondents in a recent survey agreed that the Foundation had a positive effect on health and social care.
95%
of scholars identified that the scholarship had an impact on their career.
Our sponsors
As a charitable organisation, we rely on donations and sponsors to help us to deliver our promise and achieve our mission.
Nightingale2020: Transforming the impact of nursing on global health and care
The Florence Nightingale Foundation is hosting an international conference that will set the agenda for nursing to transform global health and care.
Nurses make up the largest healthcare workforce in the world and have valuable experience and insight that should be used to transform the way we deliver health and care in the future. Nightingale2020, 27-28 October 2020, will use Florence Nightingale’s example to challenge outdated practices and let the voice of nurses be heard to drive positive change in international health policy. Taking place in the ExCeL Centre, London the Florence Nightingale Foundation, The Burdett Trust for Nursing and Dods all recognise the vitally important role played by nurses and midwives in delivering against global healthcare goals. We are delighted to be working together to deliver this important and unique event that commemorates the bicentenary of Florence Nightingale’s birth and her legacy which continues to inspire and motivate nurses to improve patient care.
Sign up for our newsletter
Keep in touch with latest news and events from the Foundation