The hospital was very dirty and crowded and there wasn't enough medicine or bandages. The doctors and nurses were struggling to look after all the patients. Miriam: When she arrived at the Army Hospital, she found it in a terrible state. Florence and a team of nurses made the long journey from the UK to help care for the wounded soldiers who were fighting in a place called Crimea. Many British soldiers were sent there to fight. Soon after a war began in a country a long way away. She began her training as a nurse in Germany before she started working in London. When she grew up, Florence travelled all over Europe, but she always wanted to care for others.
The family soon moved back to England, where Florence studied very hard. Krish: So she was named Florence after the city.
She was British, but her parents were visiting the city of Florence at the time when she was born. Florence Nightingale was born more than 200 years ago in Italy. It's named after a very famous nurse from many years ago called Florence Nightingale. Krish: Sammy thought it might be named after the bird. Miriam: Now, that is a very good question. Krish: Miriam, I was wondering why the ward we are on is called Nightingale Ward? Miriam: Well, a broken ankle takes a long time to heal, but you'll be back playing football soon, don't you worry. A Nightingale is a type of bird, so maybe it's named after that. Krish: Sammy, why do you think this ward is called Nightingale Ward?