The Nightingale Pledge And Its Versions

Lystra Gretter wrote the Nightingale Pledge in 1893, built on Florence Nightingale's ideals and first used at Harper Hospital. It set early ethical standards for nursing: professionalism, confidentiality, ongoing learning, patient advocacy, social responsibility, and nondiscriminatory care. It has been revised over time to fold in modern values like community health promotion.

Nurses recite it at induction or pinning ceremonies, the moment a student becomes a professional and recommits to ethical practice. It is a short statement of nursing ethics and principles: avoid harmful practice and care for the sick with everything you have. Modern versions lean into nursing's independence and current ethical standards.

Original Version

I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I shall abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and shall not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I shall do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. I shall be loyal to my work and devoted towards the welfare of those committed to my care.

1935 Revised Version

The 1935 revision widened the nurse's role to include public health and human welfare. The revised version, with changes italicized:

I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I aid the physician in his work, and as a missioner of health, I will dedicate myself to devoted service for human welfare.

Modern Practical Nurse Pledge

Through the 1970s, the original pledge was recited at graduations across North America. It has since been altered or dropped to reflect nursing's autonomy and to put patient protection ahead of physician loyalty. The modern version:

Before God and those assembled here, I solemnly pledge; To adhere to the code of ethics of the nursing profession; To co-operate faithfully with the other members of the nursing team and do carry out faithfully and to the best of my ability the instructions of the physician or the nurse who may be assigned to supervise my work; I will not do anything evil or malicious and I will not knowingly give any harmful drug or assist in malpractice. I will not reveal any confidential information that may come to my knowledge in the course of my work. And I pledge myself to do all in my power to raise the standards and prestige of the practical nursing; May my life be devoted to service and to the high ideals of the nursing profession.