VIRGINIA HENDERSON

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 Objectives
 Give the Henderson's Philosophy of nursing?
 Describe the Characteristics of Henderson's
Theory?
 What are the Henderson's 14 Basic Needs of
the Patient?

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 Virginia Henderson

The Nightingale of
Modern Nursing”

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 Virginia Henderson
Background Information
 Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1897
 Diploma in Nursing from the Army School of Nursing
at  Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D.C. in 1921
 In 1923, started teaching nursing at the Norfolk
Protestant Hospital in Virginia
 In 1929, entered Teachers College at Columbia
University for Bachelor’s Degree in 1932, Master’s
Degree in 1934
 Joined Columbia as a member of the faculty, until 1948
  Since 1953, a research associate at Yale University
School of Nursing -

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 Historical Background

 She received honorary doctoral degrees from the

Catholic University of America, Pace University,
University of Rochester, University of Western Ontario,
Yale University
 Recipient of numerous recognitions
 Died: March 19, 1996
 
 

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 Why did She develop this theory?
Two events influenced the development of her definition of nursing
and her theory. 2
1. Her participation in the revision of “The Textbook of the
Principles and Practice of Nursing” written by Bertha Harmer.
Following this, Henderson realized the need to be very clear
about the role and functions of the nurse.
2. She grew concerned that many states had no provisions for
nursing licensure. She felt it was important to establish the idea
of what truly makes a nurse in order to ensure safe and
competent care for patients. She examined the earlier statements
of nursing functions set forth by the American Nurses
Association and viewed these statements as non specific,
unclear, and unsatisfactory.
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 Motivation for Theory Development

Henderson recognized the unique funtions of the nurse

were:
 To Assist The Individaul, The Sick, The Well
 Assist Patients To Be Able To Perform Activities
Contributing To Health Or Its Recovery
 Help The Patient Perform Functions They Could Not
Do. 
 
 
 

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 Virginia Henderson's Nursing Philosophy

Virginia Henderson's defined nursing as follow:

"The unique function 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. And to do this
in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly
as possible“.
(Henderson, 1966).
 
 
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 Henderson's Philosophy

 Henderson's philosophy empasizes the functions of the

nurse along with a list of basic patient needs that are to
be the focus of nursing care
 Henderson's main focus was on patient care and
increasing independence
 Henderson theory was developed on 14 basic needs for
her patients
 Her concepts were based on Maslow's Hierarchy of
Needs

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 Henderson’s Philosophy cont.
"While a nurse's job is to care for patients, it also helps
patients to able to care for themselves when they leave the
health care facility"  
 Maslow relative to Henderson: 14 Components of of her
need theory mirrors Maslow's Hierarchy of needs by her
humanism approach.
 Henderson also felt patient's once independent,
a patient could accomplish these needs. Conversely, the
nurse was there to facilitate this process when the pateint
was unable to accomplish this in a compromised state.
 Henderson Goal: Henderson wasn't concerned with a
personal nursing theory per se, rather define a unique
nursing practice in the care of patients. 
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 Characteristics of Henderson's Theory

 Her definition and components are logical and the

fourteen basic nursing functions are a guide for the
individual and nurse in reaching the chosen goal.
 Her work can be applied to the health of individuals of
all ages.
 Her ideas of nursing practice are well accepted
throughout the world as a basis for nursing care.

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 Understanding Henderson's Theory

 Virgina Henderson's background was developed during

the era of nursing and medicine where patient's needs
were of primary concern.  As such, her theory is often
called a "Needs Theory".
 Henderson views the nursing process as "really the
application of the logical approach to the solution of a
problem.  The steps are those of the scientific method."
 "Nursing process stresses the science of nursing rather
than the mixture of the science and art on which it
seems effective health care services of any kind is
based."
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 Need theory
 Virginia Henderson’s goal was not to develop a
theory in nursing, but a unique focus on the
nursing concept.
 Need Theory suggests that nurses should be caring
for the patient, but at the same time helping the
patient gain independence so that once they are
discharged they are able to take care of
themselves.

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 Need theory
 The four major concepts addressed in this theory
are:
1. The Individual
2. The Environment
3. Health
4. Nursing
 This theory presents the patient as a sum of parts

with biophysical needs rather than as a type of

client or consumer.

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 Henderson's 14 Basic Needs of the
  Patient
 
 Breathe normally
 Eat and drink adequately
 Eliminate body wastes
 Move and maintain desirable postures
 Sleep and rest
 Select suitable clothes-dress and undress
 Maintain body temperature within normal range by
adjusting clothing and modifying the environment

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 The 14 Basic Needs of the Patient cont.
 Keep the body clean and well groomed and protect the
      integument
 Avoid dangers in the environment and avoid injuring
others
 Communicate with others in expressing emotions,
needs, fears, or opinions.
 Worship according to one’s faith
 Work in such a way that there is a sense of
accomplishment
 Play or participate in various forms of recreation
 Learn, discover, or satisfy the curiosity that leads to
normal development and health and use the available
health facilities
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References
Alligood, M.R. (2014). Nursing Theorists and Their
Work (8th ed.). Mosby: Elsevier.
Johnson, B.M., & Webber, P.B. (2015). An Introduction
to Theory and Reasoning in Nursing (4th ed.).
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
McEwen, M. & Wills, E.M. (2011). Theoretical Basis
for Nursing (3rd ed). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins
Parker, M.E. (2005). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice(2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Davis Company.

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