The power of environmental adaptation: Florence Nightingale's original theory for nursing practice.

Florence Nightingale was a prolific writer. Her diaries, letters, monographs, and books remain as a part of her legacy. From these documents, her ideas, values, and beliefs in a wide range of topics can be identified. The philosophical basis of modern nursing is generally seen as Nightingale's most recognized contribution to societal change. In fact, her documents contain her philosophical assumptions and beliefs regarding all elements found in the metaparadigm of nursing. These can be formed into a conceptual model that has great utility in the practice setting and offers a framework for research conceptualization.