Virginia Henderson

Nursing Need Theory

James Madison University
School of Nursing, NSG 463
Onaing Sar and Kim Lesniak
Virginia Henderson
1897-1996
“Nursing is primarily helping people (sick
or well) in the performance of those
activities contributing to health, or its
recovery (or to a peaceful death) that they
would perform unaided if they had the
necessary strength, will, or knowledge. It is
likewise the unique contribution of nursing that
help people to be independent of such
assistance as soon as possible” –Virginia
Henderson
 Henderson’s History
• Born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1897 and later moved to
Virginia. Died in 1996
• Known as “The first lady of Nursing”
• Known as “The Florence Nightingale of the 20th Century”
• Earned a diploma in nursing from the Army School of Nursing
at Walter Reed Hospital in 1921
• Earned a Bachelor’s degree (1932) and a Master’s degree
(1934) from Columbia University
• Recipient of numerous recognitions
Source: American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences
 Henderson’s Career
Virginia Henderson served in many positions throughout her professional
career from 1924-1996 including:
• Nurse Supervisor
• Clinical Instructor
• Educational Director
• Instructor & Associate Professor
• Research Associate & Research
Associate Emeritus
• Author
Source: Halamandaris
 Henderson’s Publishings
Throughout her lengthy career, Henderson had many published journal
articles and books including:
• Nursing Studies Index (1963)
• Nursing Research: Survey and Assessment (co-authored 1964)
• The Nature of Nursing (1966)
• “The Concept of Nursing” (1977)
• The Principles and Practices of Nursing (co-authored 5th edition 1955
and 6th edition 1978)

Source: Halamandaris
 The Nursing Need Theory - Background
Henderson’s intent was not to develop a nursing theory but to define
the unique focus of nursing practice based on her years of education,
practice, and experience. However, this focus emphasized basic human
needs that led to further theory development on how nurses can assist
in meeting these needs. This theory, developed in the 1960’s, had 3
major assumptions:
• Nurses care for patients until patients can care for themselves
• Nurses are willing to serve and will devote themselves to the patient
day and night
• Nurses should be educated at the college level in both sciences and
arts
Source: Nursing-Theory.org
 Henderson’s Philosophy
Henderson’s nursing philosophy that contributed to her
theory –
• “The nurse is temporarily the consciousness of the
unconscious, the love of life of the suicidal, the leg of
the amputee, the eyes of the newly blind, a means of
locomotion for the newborn, knowledge and
confidence for the young mother, a voice for those
too weak to speak”
Source: Henderson

• ”Henderson described the nurse’s role as that of a

substitute for the patient, a helper to the patient, or a
partner with the patient”
Source: Black
Major Concepts of the Nursing Need Theory
Individual
• Have basic needs that are
components of health
• May need assistance to achieve
health and independence or
assistance to achieve a peaceful death
• Mind and body are inseparable and
interrelated
• Considers the biological, physiological,
sociological, and spiritual components
Source: Nursing-Theory.org
Environment
• Settings where individuals learn
unique patterns for living
• All external conditions and influences
that affect life and development
• Individuals in relation to families
• Impact of the community on the
individual and family
• Provide conditions where patients can
independently perform the 14
components
 Concepts - continued
Health
• Ability to function independently as
outlined by the 14 components
• Emphasize health & prevention as well
as curing of diseases
• Challenged due to the affects of many
factors including age, cultural
background, and emotional balance
• Source: Nursing-Theory.org
Nursing
• Henderson’s definition of nursing as
stated earlier
• Independent practitioner making
independent judgements but not
diagnosing, prescribing treatment, or
making prognosis
• Individualized care using creativity of
nursing care to carry out a physician’s
therapeutic plan
 Significant Contribution to the Field
In addition to how this theory lines up with Maslow’s hierarchy of
needs, it contributes to the field of nursing in many ways. Before it was
considered mainstream, Henderson understood that many factors that
impact a patient’s health including biological and environmental
influences (holistic nursing). This theory is relatively simple, logical, and
can be applied to individuals of all ages. Helping a patient achieve
independence is every nurse’s goal when possible. This theory is very
adaptable in many patient settings. Her theory, teaching, work, and
research have contributed immensely to what current nursing is today.
 Limitations to this Theory
• Henderson’s theory cover ways to
help individuals gain independence,
but does not cover anything on those
who fails to regain independence
• Theory is broad and lacks specific
criteria
• Lacks sequence on which need is
more important than others
Personal Interest, Relevance to Practice,
and Future Use
Caring for patient’s basic needs and helping them
regain their independence from acute or chronic
illnesses in a holistic manner has always been my
priority as a nurse and the reason I wanted to
become an RN. As a school nurse I work with young
children that are learning to provide for themselves
in many ways. I daily put into practice at least some,
if not all, of the 14 components of this theory. I will
continue to use the time I have with my patients as
an opportunity to teach them the importance of
safety, health, and overall basic needs.
Kim Lesniak
Relevance to Practice and Future use
As a surgical trauma nurse I work with
patients of all age groups with different
needs. Being able to help patients meet
their basic needs while they are unable
to is very important to me. I utilize
henderson’s need theory on a daily
basis and will continue to do so in the
future. I plan to continue my role as a
nurse to be a helper and a partner
during my patients hospitalization.
Onaing Sar
Conclusion
● Henderson provides the essence of what
she believes is a definition of nursing.
● Her emphasis on basic human needs as the
central focus of nursing practice has led to
further theory development regarding the
needs of the person and how nursing can
assist in meeting those needs.
● Her definition of nursing and the 14
components of basic nursing care are
uncomplicated and self-explanatory.

Source: Currentnursing.com
 References
• American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences
https://www.americansentinel.edu/blog/2020/09/08/virginia-hender
son-the-nightingale-of-modern-nursing/

• Black, B. (2020). Professional nursing: Concepts & challenges (9th ed.). Elsevier
Inc.
• Gonzato, A. (2021). Virginia Henderson: Nursing need theory. Nurselabs.com
https://nurseslabs.com/virginia-hendersons-need-theory/
• Halamandaris, V. (1988). A tribute to Virginia Henderson – the first lady of
nursing. Caring: National Association for Home Care, 7(10), 56-63, 65.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10316316/
• Henderson, V. (2006). The concept of nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing,
35(1), 21-34. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03660.x
• https://nursing-theory.org/theories-and-models/henderson-need-theory.php
• https://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Henderson.html