Objectives
At the endof the session, learners will be able to:
Discuss the introduction and achievement of Virginia Henderson .
Explain major assumptions of the theory.
Elaborate Virginia Henderson's 14 basics need of the patient.
Discuss major concepts of Virginia Henderson's Theory (Metaparadigm).
Compare Virginia Henderson's theory with Maslow's need base
hierarchy theory.
Identify strengths and weaknesses of Virginia Henderson’s theory.
Discuss the applications of Virginia Henderson’s theory.
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6.
Background of theTheorist
Virginia Avenal Henderson was Born on November 30, 1897 in Kansas City,
Missouri.
Did her Diploma in Nursing from the Army School of Nursing at Walter Reed
Hospital, Washington, D.C in 1921.
She did her Bachelor’s Degree in 1932, Master’s Degree in 1934 from Columbia
University .
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Introduction to Theorist
She was a Nursing educator, Theorist, Researcher and an Author.
Need Theory is her well known achievement .
Henderson is also known as
The Nightingale of modern Nursing.
The First Lady of Nursing
Modern-Day Mother of Nursing
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Cont…..
In 1937,created a basic nursing curriculum for the National League
for Nursing (Henderson,1991,p.19).
In 1939, she revised: Harmer’s classic textbook of nursing for its 4th
edition, and later wrote the 5th; edition, incorporating her personal
definition of nursing in (Henderson,1991)
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Cont….
She joinedColumbia as a member of the faculty, where she remained
until 1948 (Herrmann, 1998).
In 1955- Published her definition of nursing in a text book called the
“ Principle and practice of Nursing”.
In 1966-She clarified her definition in the book “Nature of Nursing”.
Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing library is named in her honor.
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Cont…
She receivedhonorary doctoral degrees from the catholic university
of America.
She worked as research associate at Yale university school of
nursing .
Died: March 19, 1996.
(Allen, 1996).
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Virginia Henderson's Definitionof Nursing
“She defined nursing as “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 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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12.
Major Assumptions
VirginiaHenderson’s Need Theory Assumptions Are:
(1) Nurses care for patients until they can care for themselves once again.
Although not precisely explained.
(2) She assumes that patients desire to return to health, but not explicitly
stated.
(3) She also assumes that Nurses are willing to serve, and that “nurses
will devote themselves to the patient day and night.”
(4) A final assumption is that nurses should be educated at the university
level in both arts and sciences.
(Henderson also believes that the “mind and body are inseperable and
are interrelated”)
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Person
Have basicneeds that are component of health.
Requiring assistance to achieve health and independence or a
peaceful death.
Mind and body are inseparable and interrelated.
Considers the biological, psychological, sociological, and
spiritual components.
The theory presents the patient as a sum of parts with
biopsychosocial needs.
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Environment
Although theNeed Theory did not explicitly define the
environment, Henderson stated that maintaining a supportive
environment conducive to health is one of her 14 activities for
client assistance.
She believes that society wants and expects the nurse’s acting
for individuals who cannot function independently.
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Health
Definition basedon individual’s ability to function independently
as outlined in the 14 components.
Nurses need to stress promotion of health and prevention and cure
of disease.
Good health is a challenge -affected by age, cultural background,
physical, and intellectual capacities, and emotional balance Is the
individual’s ability to meet these needs independently.
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23.
Nursing
Temporarily assistingan individual who lacks the necessary
strength, will and knowledge to satisfy 1 or more of 14 basic
needs.
Assists and supports the individual in life activities and the
attainment of independence.
Nurse serves to make patient “complete” “whole", or
"independent."
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24.
Cont….
“Nurse shouldhave knowledge to practice individualized and
human care and should be a scientific problem solver.”
In the Nature of Nursing Nurse role is,” to get inside the patient’s
skin and supplement his strength will or knowledge according to
his needs.”
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Maslow's
Hierarchy
Virginia Henderson’s 14
BasicNursing
Functions
• Physiological Needs
• Breathe normally
• Eat and drink adequately
• Eliminate by all avenues of elimination
• Move and maintain desirable posture
• Sleep and rest
• Select suitable clothing
• Maintain body temperature
• Keep body clean and well groomed and
protect the integument
V/S
27.
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Maslow's
Hierarchy
Virginia Henderson’s 14
BasicNursing
Functions
• Safety Needs • Avoid environmental dangers and avoid
injuring others
• Belongingness and Love
Needs
• Communicate with others
• Worship according to faith
• Esteem Needs • Work at something providing a sense of
accomplishment
• Play or participate in various forms of
recreation
• Learn, discover, or satisfy curiosity
• Self Actualization Needs • None
V/S
28.
Strengths
Henderson usedthe concepts of fundamental human needs which
give the theory a dynamic coverage regarding patients need.
It can effectively address patient need and elaborate nurses’ role.
This theory is well suited and adoptable for nursing care and
practice in various clinical settings.
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Cont…..
Applicable tothe health of individuals of all ages.
can be utilized by practitioners to guide and improve their practice.
It’s design successfully wrap the components of nursing process.
Henderson’s need theory is relevant to Maslow’s hierarchy of
human needs.
(George, 2011)
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Weakness
Lack ofconceptual linkage between physiological and other human
characteristics.
If the assumption is made that the 14 components prioritized, the
relationship among the components is unclear.
Assisting the individual in the dying process she contends that the
nurse helps, but there is little explanation of what the nurse does.
“Peaceful death” is curious and significant nursing role.
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Application (Scenario)
Mis.X,25 years old female client was admitted in the surgical unit,
with attempted suicide. Two weeks ago, she ingested toilet cleaner
because of a family dispute. Mis. X lived a rural life and had
studied till 8th standard. Upon history taking, her mother informed
that her marriage was planned two days before the incident. She
was reluctant to share the reason for her suicide but stated that she
was stressed out and tried to kill herself.
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Cont…..
Her physicalassessment revealed alert, oriented but depressed female.
Her chief complaints were difficulty in breathing and mood swings. Her
report showed damaged larynx, mouth and stomach ulcers respectively.
The dietician advised liquid diet but Mis. X showed
dislike and resisted eating. Due to her limited intake, Foley’s catheter
was passed for accurate record of her daily intake and output .She was
noncompliance towards her intake and developed dehydration,
irritability and insomnia .
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Nursing Assessment ofMis.X
SNO Henderson's 14
Components
Assessment Findings
1
Breathing normally
She was experiencing difficulty in
breathing;
2 Eat and drink
adequately.
She was advised liquid diet but she
resisted taking any liquid
3 Elimination of body
wastes
Foley's catheter was in placed
4 Movement and
Posturing
Reports fatigue , Feeble to walk, Gait
imbalance
5
Sleep and Rest
Experiencing insomnia for three days,
Dark circles around eye.
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Possible Nursing Diagnosesfor Mr.X
Breathing Activity intolerance related to dyspnea
Nutrition
Nutritional Imbalance less than body requirement
related to less desire to eat
Elimination
Altered Elimination Pattern related to catheter in-
placement
Movement and
Posturing
Impaired physical mobility related to fatigue and
weakness
Sleep and Rest
Disturbed Sleep pattern related to external factors
i.e. hospitalization
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Planning
Plan anddocument how the nurse can assist the individual,
sick or well, back to independence.
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Implementation
• Uses the 14 basic needs in answering the factors contribute to
the illness.
• Assist the individual in performance of activities to meeting
needs necessary to maintain health, recover from illness, or to
facilitate in peaceful death.
References
Henderson, V.,& Nite, G. (1978). Principles and practice of
nursing. New York, NY: Macmillan.
McEwen M, Wills EM (2007). Theoretical basis for nursing, 4th
Ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
George J. B. (2010). Nursing Theories-The base for professional
Nursing Practice, 5thed. Norwalk, Appleton & Lange, USA.
https://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Henderson.html
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