Nursing theories form the basis for the practice of the profession – how nurses perform their job and care for their patients. One of the most important theories ever proposed along this line has been Virginia Henderson’s definition of nursing, which has made a great contribution to the nursing area. Virginia Henderson is known as “The First Lady of Nursing”.
Henderson’s theory, known as the “Definition of Nursing,” was written in the 1950s and early 1960s. This theory is based on the concept that nurses have a role in enabling patients to achieve independence and function in activities of daily living. Henderson felt if the patient cannot complete these activities, the nurse should assist them with recovery so that the patient can once again care for themselves.
One of the central doctrines to Henderson’s philosophy is that of the “14 Fundamental Needs.” These needs are essential for all humans and include, among other things, eating, breathing, sleeping, and hygiene. Henderson argued that a patient cannot be healthy if this need is unmet, and the role of the nurse is to help individual patients return to a state where they may carry out such activities.
Henderson’s theory continues to influence the nursing profession today. Her theory is taught as part of the curriculum in many nursing schools, where students learn about the patient’s need to complete daily tasks themselves and how nurses assist patients with achieving their independence.
Henderson’s role is also evident when it comes to health education. She felt that it was important to teach patients about their health. Today, patients let nurses teach them about their diseases, medications, and healthy habits. For instance, after a patient undergoes heart surgery, a nurse will educate them on the need for proper diet and exercise. This education gives patients the power to manage their health.
In the real world, nurses who subscribe to Henderson’s theory tend to take a comprehensive view in treating patients — they see the whole person rather than merely their disease. They get to know the patient as an individual and base a plan of care on what is right for that person.
For instance, a nurse attending to a post-stroke patient may apply Henderson’s theory by assisting the patient in learning ways to bathe and dress themselves. The nurse would likely initially help the patient with some or all of these tasks, but the goal would be teaching independence and acknowledge the patient’s progress.
One more example of Henderson’s theory in action can be seen in caring for geriatric patients. Age-related changes or illness may interfere with activities of daily living for older people. Under Henderson’s theory, nurses assisting such patients would help them retain their independence and quality of life as they lose physical abilities.
Overall, Virginia Henderson’s nursing theory remains a significant and dominant aspect of the discipline. Considering the patient’s ability to care for themselves and the nurse’s role in assisting with needs, Henderson’s theory has provided continual influence on how nurses can apply their skills.
At Arbor Wellness, we specialize in understanding an individual patient’s special needs and strengths. By creating an empathetic environment, we empower others to be the leaders of their mental health journey. This not only makes them better able to withstand stress, it also makes them happier. We then work together to formulate patient-centered plans of treatment based on the Henderson Theory that favor their wellness.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Henderson
https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/
https://www.clayton.edu/health/nursing/nursing-theory/in-celebration-of-virginia-avenue.php
https://nursingtheory.org/theories-and-models/henderson-need-theory https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10077356/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573910/
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Roles-of-a-Nurse.aspx
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9634242/
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/older-american-health.htm
https://www.prb.org/resources/fact-sheet-aging-in-the-united-states/
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/nurse-patient-relationship-trust
