What was the impact of Florence Nightingale on nursing practices during the Crimean War?

The impact of Florence Nightingale on nursing practices during the Crimean War was profound and transformative, particularly in establishing nursing as a respected profession and improving sanitary conditions in hospitals. Before Nightingale's interventions, nursing was not seen as a proper vocation, and many of the practices in place during the war were inadequate and unhygienic.

Nightingale brought a focus on hygiene practices, emphasizing the importance of sanitation, proper ventilation, and clean water, which significantly reduced the death rate from disease among soldiers. She organized the care of wounded soldiers and set a standard for nursing education by promoting rigorous training for nurses. Her work not only revolutionized the care provided to patients but also laid the groundwork for nursing as a formal profession, highlighting the role of trained nurses in healthcare.

While the other options mention significant developments in medicine and public health, they do not accurately reflect Nightingale's primary contributions during the Crimean War. The advancements in surgical procedures, germ theory, and vaccination campaigns occurred around the same period but were driven by different individuals and movements, rather than being the focus of Nightingale's work.