Henderson was an influential nursing theorist who defined nursing as assisting individuals to meet their 14 basic human needs. She believed health involved being able to independently meet needs like breathing, eating, and communicating. Her theory viewed people holistically, with biological, sociological, and spiritual components. Henderson's definition of nursing and identification of basic needs formed the basis for nursing assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Her work helped establish nursing as an academic discipline and supported research to validate and improve practice. While simple, her theory provided a framework for conceptualizing individual needs and the nurse's role in meeting them.

1. HENDERSON’S DEFINITION
OF NURSING

2.  Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on Nov. 30, in 1897.
 She was educated at the U.S. Army School of Nursing
(1921) then worked as a staff nurse of the Henry Street
Visiting Nurse Service in New York City.
 In 1929, entered Teachers College at Columbia
University for Bachelor’s Degree in 1932, Master’s
Degree in 1934.

3. Historical background
 1922, began teaching in Norfolk Protestant Hospital, Virginia.
 1929,teaching supervisor in the clinics of Strong Memorial
Hospital, Ronchester, New York.
 Joined Columbia as a member of the faculty, remained
until 1948.
 Since 1953, a research associate at Yale University School
of Nursing.

4. As a researcher, writer and author:
 Bertha Harmer’s Textbook of the Principles and
Practice of Nursing, 4th edition, 1939.
 Bertha Harmer’s Textbook of the Principles and
Practice of Nursing, 5th edition, 1955, contains her
definition of nursing.
 Basic Principles of Nursing Care, 1960.
 The Nature of Nursing, 1966.
 The Principles and Practice of Nursing, 6th edition,
1978.

5.  Recipient of numerous recognitions.
 Honorary doctoral degrees from the Catholic
University of America, Pace University, University of
Rochester, University of Western Ontario, Yale
University
 In 1985, honored at the Annual Meeting of the
Nursing and Allied Health Section of the Medical
Library Association.
 Died: March 19, 1996.

6. Key Concepts
Components of a person is operationalized by the
14 basic human needs, which under conditions of ill-
health will require assistance by the family and/or
nurse.

7. GENERAL INFORMATION
 The patients independence is an important
criterion for health.
 Henderson’s 14 basic needs closely parallel those of
Abraham Maslow.
 1 to 7 RELATE TO PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS
 8-9 : SAFETY
 10: SELF ESTEEM
 10 & 11 : LOVE AND BELONGINGNESS
 11- 14 : SELF ACTUALIZATION.
 Considered together, the 14 basic needs provide a
holistic approach to nursing.

8. HENDERSON’S 14 BASIC NEEDS
1. Breathe normally.
2. Eat and drink adequately.
3. Eliminate body wastes.
4. Move and maintain desirable position.
5. Sleep and rest.
6. Select suitable clothes.
7. Maintain body temperature.
8. Maintain body cleanliness and grooming.

9. HENDERSON’S BASIC NEEDS
9. Avoid dangers in environment and avoid
injuring others.
10. Communicate with others to express emotions,
needs and fears of opinions.
11. Worship according to one’s faith.
12.Work in a way that provides a sense of
accomplishment.
13. Play or participate in various forms of
recreation.
14. Learn, discover or satisfy the curiosity that
leads to normal development and health.

11. PARADIGMS
Person
 A complete and independent being with biological, sociological and
spiritual components
Nursing
 The function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in
the performance of activities contributing to health or its recovery
Health
 The patient’s ability to perform independently the 14 basic needs
Environment
 The effects of 7 components (light, temperature, air movement,
atmospheric pressure, proper waste disposal, absence of injurious
chemicals, cleanliness of surroundings) on the life and development
of a person

12. Application
 Practice:
 Assessment phase – assess the patients for 14
fundamental needs and what is/are lacking.
 Planning phase – plan to meet the needs fit to the
doctors prescribed plan
 Implementation phase – uses the 14 basic needs in
answering the factors contributes to the illness
 Evaluation phase – decides whether goals are met or
not

13. Education:
 Development of 3 phases of curriculum
development that students should progress in their
learning.
Research:
1. She supported developing nurses at
baccalaureate level and advocated the use of
library for research purposes.
2. Development of the nurses responsibility to
identify problems, validates practice and
improving methods of care and reassuring the
effectiveness of care.
3. The concept that illness arise from the lacking
needs gives rise to different researches.

14. Analysis
 - It is considered as a grand theory or philosophy
in the early days.
 1. Simplicity
 2. Generality
 3. Derivable Consequences

15. Characteristic of Henderson’s theory
 There is interrelation of concepts.
 Concepts of fundamental human needs, biophysiology, culture, and
interaction, communication are borrowed from other discipline.Eg..
Maslow’s theory.
 Her definition and components are logical and the 14 components are a
guide for the individual and nurse in reaching the chosen goal.
 Relatively simple yet generalizable.
 Applicable to the health of individuals of all ages.
 can be the bases for hypotheses that can be tested.
 assist in increasing the general body of knowledge within the discipline.
 Her ideas of nursing practice are well accepted.
 can be utilized by practitioners to guide and improve their practice.

16. Limitations
 Lack of conceptual linkage between physiological and
other human characteristics.
 No concept of the holistic nature of human being.
 If the assumption is made that the 14 components
prioritized, the relationship among the components is
unclear.
 Lacks inter-relate of factors and the influence of nursing
care.
 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.

17. 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.