The Nightingale Pledge is a traditional pledge

Oath

An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...

 that was taken by new nurses. Named after Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale OM, RRC was a celebrated English nurse, writer and statistician. She came to prominence for her pioneering work in nursing during the Crimean War, where she tended to wounded soldiers. She was dubbed "The Lady with the Lamp" after her habit of making rounds at night...

, it was composed by a committee chaired by Lystra Gretter

Lystra Gretter

Lystra Gretter graduated from nursing school in 1888. She was an instructor of nursing at the old Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, United States. She was the chair of the committee that authored the Nightingale Pledge....

, an instructor of nursing at the old Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and was first used by its graduating class in the spring of 1893. In modern times, a number of institutions have modified or dropped the pledge altogether.

The Original Pledge

I solemnly pledge myself before God and presence of this assembly;


To pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully.


I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.


I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.


With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.