The first male nurse is often attributed to Florence Nightingale's contemporary, William Rathbone. He was a prominent advocate for nursing reform in the 19th century and played a significant role in promoting male nursing. Another notable example is Mary Seacole, who is often considered one of the first black nurses and cared for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. While these individuals were not traditional "nurses" by today's standards, they made important contributions to the field of healthcare.
