Abstract

This paper analyzes the nursing theories of Virginia Henderson, Faye Abdellah, and Jean
Watson. Virginia Henderson's Need Theory emphasizes patient independence and meeting
fundamental needs. Faye Abdellah's Typology of 21 Nursing Problems shifts the focus to a
patient-centered approach and identifies twenty-one nursing problems. Jean Watson's theory
highlights the importance of customized care and promoting health. The paper examines the
background and key concepts of each theory, as well as their contributions to the nursing
profession.

Introduction
Nursing theories provide a framework for nurses to understand and approach patient care.
Virginia Henderson, Faye Abdellah, and Jean Watson are three nursing theorists who have made
significant contributions to the field. This paper will analyze their theories and discuss their
impact on nursing practice.

Virginia Henderson's Conceptualization of the Nurse's Role

Virginia Henderson was a nurse, theorist, and author known for her Need Theory and
defining nursing as assisting individuals to gain independence in relation to the performance of
activities contributing to health or its recovery [1][2][6]. She developed the Nursing Need
Theory to define the unique focus of nursing practice, emphasizing the importance of increasing
the patient’s independence to hasten their progress in the hospital [1][2][3]. According to
Henderson, the role of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of
those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) that he would perform
unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge [2].
Henderson described the role of the nurse as one of the following [2]:
 Substitutive: doing something for the patient
 Supplementary: helping the patient do something
 Complementary: working with the patient to achieve a goal
Henderson's Need Theory emphasizes the importance of patient independence so that the
patient will continue to progress after hospitalization and not be delayed [3]. The theory focuses
on the basic human needs and how nurses can meet those needs [1]. Henderson explains in
Nature of Nursing that the role of a nurse is “to get inside the patient’s skin and supplement his
strength will or knowledge” [3].
Henderson identifies three major assumptions in her model of nursing [3]:
 Nurses care for a patient until a patient can care for him or herself, though it is not stated
explicitly.
 Nurses are willing to serve and that “nurses will devote themselves to the patient day and
night.”
  Nurses should be educated at the college level in both sciences and arts.
Henderson's work helped establish the intellectual underpinnings of the nursing
profession and remedy nurses’ views throughout the years through exhaustive research [1].
Fay Abdella's Twenty-One Nursing Problems Theory
Fay Abdella's Twenty-One Nursing Problems Theory is a nursing theory that outlines 21
statements about the tasks and responsibilities of a nurse [7]. This theory was developed by Fay
Abdellah, who believed that nursing is both an art and a science that requires nurses to possess
the necessary attitude, intellectual competencies, and technical skills to help individuals cope
with their health needs [8].
According to Abdellah's theory, quality professional nursing care requires nurses to be
able to identify and solve nursing problems, both overt and covert. The problem-solving process
involves identifying the problem, selecting relevant data, formulating hypotheses, testing
hypotheses through data collection, and revising hypotheses as necessary based on the
conclusions drawn from the data [8].
The Twenty-One Nursing Problems Theory consists of several subconcepts that further
elaborate on the theory. These subconcepts include:
 Problem-solving: The theory emphasizes the importance of problem-solving as a central
activity in nursing [8].
 Health: Abdellah's theory recognizes that health is a dynamic state that encompasses
physical, emotional, and social well-being [8].
 Nursing problems: The theory focuses on identifying and addressing nursing problems,
which can be both physical and psychological in nature [8].
 Nursing care: The theory emphasizes the need for nurses to provide high-quality care that
meets the individual needs of patients, whether they are ill or well [8].
 Nursing process: Abdellah's theory incorporates the nursing process as a systematic
approach to providing care, which includes assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation [4].
Overall, the Twenty-One Nursing Problems Theory provides a framework for nurses to
deliver comprehensive and individualized care to patients. It emphasizes the importance of
problem-solving and the holistic nature of health. By utilizing this theory, nurses can enhance
their ability to identify and address nursing problems, ultimately improving patient outcomes [7]
[8].
Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring
Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring is a nursing theory that emphasizes the
importance of caring for patients as whole individuals, rather than simply treating their physical
symptoms [9][11]. The theory was developed by Jean Watson, a nurse and psychologist, in the
1970s, and has since become widely used in nursing education and practice [9][12].
The Theory of Human Caring is based on the following assumptions:
 Caring can only be demonstrated and practiced interpersonally.
 Caring consists of curative factors that result in the satisfaction of certain human needs.
 Effective caring promotes health and individual or family growth.
 Caring responses accept the person as he or she is now, as well as what he or she may
become.
 A caring environment is one that offers the development of potential while allowing the
person to choose the best action for himself or herself at a given point in time.
 Caring is more "health genic" than is curing. A science of caring is complementary to the
science of curing.
 The practice of caring is central to nursing [13].
According to Watson's theory, nursing is concerned with promoting health, preventing
illness, caring for the sick, and restoring health [9][13]. Caring is a mutually beneficial
experience for both the patient and the nurse, as well as between all health team members [10].
The theory emphasizes the importance of the nurse-patient relationship, and the need for nurses
to view patients as whole individuals with physical, emotional, and spiritual needs [9][11].
The Theory of Human Caring has been widely used in nursing education and practice,
and has been integrated into patient care in various healthcare facilities worldwide [9][12]. It
provides a framework for nurses to deliver high-quality care that promotes health and individual
growth, and emphasizes the importance of caring for patients as whole individuals. By utilizing
this theory, nurses can enhance their ability to provide holistic care that meets the unique needs
of each patient [9][11][12].
Conclusion
In conclusion, Virginia Henderson, Faye Abdellah, and Jean Watson have made
significant contributions to the nursing profession. Their theories have helped shape the way
nurses approach patient care, emphasizing patient independence, patient-centered care, and
customized treatment plans. By understanding and applying these theories, nurses can provide
better care to their patients.
References
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