Running Head: NURSE THEORIST: CLARA BARTON

Nurse Theorist: Clara Barton Elizabeth Dorton East Tennessee State University

NURSE THEORIST: CLARA BARTON

Nurse Theorist: Clara Barton Clarissa Harlowe Barton was born on December 25, 1821 in North Oxford, Massachusetts. Clara was the youngest of five children and she was often cared for by her older siblings although her mother was a homemaker. Her father was a captain in the army during the Revolutionary War. He spent time playing with Clara and telling her about his experiences during the war (Buckley & Burt, 2003). At the time, no one could have predicted that Clara herself would spend time on a battlefield, but that is exactly what she did. In fact, she earned the title, Angel of the Battlefield in honor of the care she provided to soldiers during the Civil War (Holder, 2001). Clara was a true pioneer in many aspects as she fought to pave the way for women of her time and those who would follow. Prior to her service during the war, Clara was a teacher during a time when most teachers were men. She was also one of the first women employed by the federal government where she worked as a recording clerk in the US Patent Office (Clara Barton: Founder,). Clara spent most of her long life helping people and breaking molds for women. When she died in 1912 at the age of 90, Clara had earned many titles including teacher, nurse, philanthropist, author, feminist, and founder of the American Red Cross. Clara held so many of the qualities nurses should possess. She was intelligent, brave, determined, and she was not afraid to speak up and fight for what she felt was right. She exemplified these qualities time and time again. Most notably was the time Clara decided she wanted to join the Civil War effort and help the soldiers who were suffering. She was willing to leave her job as a clerk in the US Patent Office and work without pay to deliver much needed supplies to the battlefields.

NURSE THEORIST: CLARA BARTON 3 Barton began her effort to supply the soldiers with food and other supplies by clearing out her own cabinets at home. She used her own money to buy more supplies and hired men to help her deliver them (Holder, 2001). Once Clara got close to the battlefields she wanted to do more than provide supplies to the soldiers. She wanted to join them on the battlefield, not to fight, but to deliver supplies where they needed them most. Even though Clara wanted to volunteer her services, she was denied the opportunity because the Army did not think the dangerous, dirty battlefield was any place for a woman (Holder, 2001). Clara refused to take no for an answer. She insisted on serving in the fields until the Army agreed to allow it. This could be viewed by some as demeaning for a woman to fight for the right to work without pay. However, Clara was sacrificing not only for the soldiers, but for equality as well. Some women cut their hair, changed their clothes, and impersonated men in order to join them on the field. Clara was not willing to take such drastic measures. She took pride in being a lady and in her appearance as such (Holder, 2001). She believed that women were capable beings who were entitled to the same rights as men, and she would prove it by staying true to who she was. Soldiers had prior access to trained nurses and medical care, but it was inadequate as they were wounded and dying on the field before they could be treated. Clara was not trained as a nurse, but she gained experience through sheer circumstance. While she was on the battlefield she went from soldier to soldier doing whatever she could to ease their suffering. Once, a soldier who had been shot in the cheek was in need of assistance, but the surgeons were busy helping others who needed them. Clara pulled out a pocket knife and removed the bullet from his face without hesitation (Buckley & Burt, 2003). Theodore Roosevelt once said, Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. This is a phrase I strive to live by, and it is something nurses all over the world do every day.

NURSE THEORIST: CLARA BARTON Clara Barton certainly did whatever she could, with whatever she had, wherever she was. She also inspired others to do the same during her 23 year tenure as President of the American Red Cross. The Red Cross was a society Clara became familiar with while visiting Europe after the Civil War. The Red Cross provided relief to people during war and disaster situations. This is what Clara had been doing all along on her own so it was only natural that she would take an

interest in such a society. Clara fought to establish a branch of the Red Cross in America. Once again, she was successful in her efforts and the American Red Cross was established in 1881 (Clara Barton: Founder,). Today, the American Red Cross has 35,000 employees and over half a million volunteers. In addition to disaster relief, the Red Cross provides community services to the needy, supports military members and their families, and collects blood and blood products which are used to save lives. In addition, they educate more than 15 million people each year through programs that promote health and safety (Clara Barton: Founder,). Not everyone would recognize the name Clara Barton. However, most people are familiar with the Red Cross. People know the Red Cross is a place they can turn to for assistance when they are in need and they will not be turned down. People know they can rely on the Red Cross to be there when a natural disaster devastates a community. Clara Barton left behind a legacy greater than she could have ever imagined when she was taking food from her own pantry to give to others. Just like the soldiers could rely on Clara, the Red Cross relies on people with a giving spirit like hers for donations of time, money, and blood to do its work (Clara Barton: Founder,). Clara Barton has inspired me like she inspired so many others throughout her life. Although nursing is now a profession and women are compensated for their work, there is still a

NURSE THEORIST: CLARA BARTON 5 huge need for volunteer services. This is one of the many reasons I find the nursing profession so appealing. I can gain the skills necessary to help people in need, volunteer my time doing something I love, and still earn a wage that will support my family. Without pioneers like Clara Barton, none of that would be possible. Nurses should strive to continue the legacy of Clara Barton and women like her by paying it forward. Just as nursing would not be what it is today without pioneers like Clara, the future of nursing is dependent upon the nurses of today. We owe it to our predecessors who fought so hard to make nursing the honorable profession it is to keep the spirit of nursing alive. We can do this by helping others, when we can, with what we have, where we are. It is so simple, yet so profound. A patient who was experiencing pain and suffering once said to me, It is people like you that make times like this more bearable. That was one of the greatest compliments I had ever received. I did not feel as though I really did anything significant. I listened to her talk about her children, her pets, and her career. I brought her snacks and helped her to bed at night. We laughed and joked a lot, and when it was time to say goodbye we were sad. When someone asks why I want to be a nurse, I finally have a simple answer to a very complex question. I want to make the lives of people who are suffering a little more bearable. It brings me great pleasure to have the ability to help others who are in need, and I believe that is what nursing is really about.

NURSE THEORIST: CLARA BARTON

References Buckley, S., & Burt, B. (March 2001). Angel of the BATTLEFIELD.(Civil War nurse Clara Barton). Appleseeds, 3, 7. p.2. Retrieved June 14, 2011, from General OneFile via Gale: http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.etsu.edu:2048/gtx/start.do? prodId=ITOF&userGroupName=tel_a_etsul Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1 4 , 2 0 11 , f r o m h t t p : / / w w w. r e d c r o s s . o r g / m u s e u m / h i s t o r y / c l a r a B a r t o n . a s p Holder, V L (Oct 2003). From hand maiden to right hand--the birth of nursing in America. AORN Journal, 78, 4. p.618(12). Retrieved June 14, 2011, from General OneFile via Gale:http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.etsu.edu:2048/gtx/start.do prodId=ITOF&userGroupName=tel_a_etsul