From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The Florence Nightingale effect is a trope where a caregiver falls in love with their patient, even if very little communication or contact takes place outside of basic care. Feelings may fade once the patient is no longer in need of care.

What is the opposite of the Florence Nightingale Effect?

Some references use the term for the opposite situation, in which a patient develops romantic or sexual feelings towards a caregiver. This is, in fact, a manifestation of what Sigmund Freud called transference.

Is Florence Nightingale syndrome real?

The Florence Nightingale Effect (also referred to as Nightingale Syndrome) is a pop-culture reference to the real nurse, Florence Nightingale, who treated her patients with care and compassion. Such care has been shown to lead to better responses by patients as well as faster healing times.