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It was during this time that Florence gained the nickname 'The Lady of the Lamp' because she was continually checking all parts of the hospital day and night and at night she needed the lamp. In 1855 Queen Victoria wrote to Florence to thank her for all that she had done.

When Florence was sixteen years old her life was changed. God spoke to her and told her that she had a task that He wanted her to do. Whatever anyone would think of such an event, it was real to Florence. She now knew that her life had a purpose, and that whatever would happen would be in God's will and timing.

Florence then wanted to serve as a nurse in a local hospital. Nurses had a very different role at that time and were no more than cleaners. Even maids and servants looked down on them. Her father refused to allow Florence to go to the hospital.

In a letter Florence wrote 'We have four miles of beds eighteen inches apart'.
In 1907 Florence Nightingale, now blind, received the Order of Merit award.