Florence Nightingale was a pioneering nurse born in 1820 in Italy who revolutionized nursing practices and established it as a respected profession. She is renowned for her compassionate care of wounded soldiers during the Crimean War, defying expectations of women at the time. Nightingale went on to advocate for improved sanitation and establish the first nursing school in Britain. She received numerous honors for her groundbreaking work, including establishing the International Nightingale Medal awarded to distinguished nurses.