More Than Good, Kind Angels: The Daughters of Charity's Relationship to Valuation, Mission and Money, 1916 To 1994

The ability to gain payment for services is strongly linked to the ability of a
profession to define the value of its service. Valuation as an economic term is used to
define an entity's worth or value. As an approach, valuation encourages a company to
document the financial value of both the tangible and intangible assets associated with
the services provided. Today there are a limited number of studies that document the
value of nursing services. Valuation studies related to nursing are challenged by the need
to include the complexity of patient services that causes variation in research results. This
historical case study examines one nursing initiative undertaken by the Daughters of
Charity who were trained in nursing and finance and were able to demonstrate their value
to the community of Jacksonville, Florida. In 1916, the Daughters of Charity came to
Jacksonville to provide health care to the sick and the poor. They endured the hardships
found in this southern city and endeared themselves to the community. They purchased a 42-bed Sanatorium and expanded this facility into a 528-bed hospital and health system.
Across ninety years, the community supported and demonstrated their willingness to pay
in order to sustain the Sisters mission. The themes identified in the study included an
unwavering commitment to Jive the mission of the Daughters of Charity, an implicit
authority allowing these Sisters to enter into business arrangements, an emphasis on
ensuring that all Sisters gained education and mentorship in finance and nursing, the
growth of a strong bond with the community of Jacksonville, and an ability to obtain
funding needed to carry out their mission. Themes appearing to be in opposition to the
Sisters mission included racial separation and the limited recognition given to nurses at
the Sisters' hospital. In conclusion, the study tells the story of Sisters who were able to
enhance their valuation by blending their knowledge of the health care business and
nursing, while successfully obtaining the funding needed to fulfill their mission.