The "lady with the lamp" illuminates critical care today.

Florence Nightingale, the “Lady With the Lamp,” is an iconic figure who is widely credited with establishing nursing as a profession that makes important contributions to patient care. Her best known publication, Notes on Nursing, was first published 150 years ago, and August 13, 2010, will commemorate the 100th anniversary of her death. Health care has changed substantially since Nightingale’s time, but many of her messages remain relevant to the practice of critical care nursing today. There are 5 areas in particular where her example has continuing relevance for current interdisciplinary practice and research in critical care: she challenged the status quo in health care, she focused on the patient experience, she focused on patient outcomes, she valued an evidence-base for practice, and she was dedicated to mentoring others.