In response to the dire situation faced by British soldiers during the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale, a pioneering nurse and healthcare reformer, was selected to lead a contingent of 38 volunteer nurses from the United Kingdom to the front lines. This decision came after reports detailed the abysmal sanitary conditions in military hospitals, where soldiers suffered severe illnesses and high mortality rates, exacerbated by overcrowding and neglect. Nightingale's team arrived at Scutari, an area near Constantinople, where the British army had set up a hospital.

Upon their arrival, Nightingale immediately recognized the need for comprehensive reform in nursing practices and hospital sanitation. She implemented rigorous hygiene standards, emphasizing the importance of fresh air, clean linens, and proper food for the patients. This marked a significant departure from the prevailing medical practices of the time, which often overlooked basic hygiene in favor of more aggressive medical treatments. Nightingale's innovative approaches led to a dramatic decrease in the hospital's death rate, and over time, her emphasis on nursing education influenced nursing standards worldwide.

Nightingale’s work not only transformed care for the wounded soldiers but also highlighted the essential role of women in healthcare. Her leadership in the Crimean War laid the foundation for professional nursing as a respected occupation for women. This period also saw the establishment of the Nightingale Training School for Nurses in 1860, providing formal education that incorporated her ideas on nursing practice and patient care, which are still relevant today.