Objective: reflecting on Florence Nightingale’s legacy from the perspective of the concept of habitus, proposed by Pierre Bourdieu. Methods: theoretical reflection on Florence Nightingale’s legacy in nursing based on the description of her contribution to health care and professional training in nursing, which allowed them to be consolidated as a new professional habitus grounded in accumulation of symbolic capital, especially scientific and social ones. Results: important aspects of Florence Nightingale’s family life, considered the first social contact and locus of incorporation of a habitus, determined her social relationships and investment opportunities, with implications for her professional life. Additionally, Nightingale contributed to global nursing by adding to it meaningful symbolic assets, since she overcame challenges and presented positive evidence that resulted from a care model. Conclusion: the contribution of the founder of modern nursing must be known, grasped, and remembered, because her achievements were the result of a professional identity shaped by rituals, symbols, discipline, and power.