What is the central concept of Florence Nightingale's Theory?

Florence Nightingale's Theory primarily revolves around the Environmental Theory, which emphasizes the importance of the environment in the healing process of patients. Nightingale believed that a clean, well-ventilated, and quiet environment was crucial for recovery. She recognized that factors such as light, temperature, ventilation, and cleanliness all contribute to a patient’s overall health and well-being.

Her approach was revolutionary at the time, as it shifted the focus from purely medical interventions to the importance of the patient's surroundings. Nightingale meticulously documented how changes in the environment could lead to improved patient outcomes, which laid the groundwork for modern nursing practices that prioritize patient-centered care and environmental health. This emphasis on the connection between the environment and health outcomes is what makes the Environmental Theory a central concept of her work.

In contrast, other theories mentioned, such as the Need Theory, the concept of Transpersonal Caring, and the 21 Nursing Problems, focus on different aspects of nursing practice and patient care, but do not encapsulate the foundational principles that Nightingale established regarding the impact of the environment on health.