The Nightingale Pledge

“The Nightingale Pledge” written by Mrs.Lystra E. Getter, Superintendent Harper Hospital Detroit, USA in honor of Florence Nightingale in 1893.
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 endeavour
To aid the physician in his work
And devote myself to the welfare
Of those committed to my care.

Please Note: Later, to emphasize the ever-widening field of nursing, Mrs.Gretter altered the last clause to:
‘With loyalty will I aid the physician in his work, and as a “missioner of health” I will dedicate myself to devoted service to human welfare.’