Virginia Henderson, the Nursing Theorist
Nursing theorist concept Application in the Nursing practice
Abstract
Nursing theorist Virginia Henderson (1897-1996), often referred to as the “First Lady of Nursing”, developed a nursing model based on the 14 components of activities of daily living. The paper discusses the importance of applying these components to the nursing practice. She emphasized the importance of increasing the patient’s independence so that progress after hospitalization would not be delayed (Henderson 1991). Henderson’s Theory and the main concepts are discussed using a case study approach on a specific client to better explore the theory and how it influenced the nursing practice. Henderson’s principles and practices of Nursing laid a ground work for the nursing process that is still being used today in various fields of nursing.
Henderson’s Concept of Nursing in a clinical setting: Application in Nursing As health care professionals, nurses are called upon to provide care to their patients according to individualized needs. It is upon the nurse to care, assist and support the patient based on the 14 components of daily activities as out lined by Henderson’s theory. Nurses are called to provide a 24-hr service that helps human beings with their essential daily activities when they lack the strength, knowledge, or will, to carry them out unaided and to work towards the development of a healthy independence. This intimate and essential service is in the author’s opinion, the universal element in the concept of nursing. Henderson argues that the most successful preparation of nurses will always include whatever gives them the broadest possible understanding of humanity and the world in which they live. Henderson’s concept of nursing gives nurses an opportunity to deliver expert care and to have satisfaction from their effort, hasten the person’s recovery, help a person cope with a handicap, or die in peace when death is inevitable (Henderson, 1966).
The Henderson’s Nursing
Abstract
Nursing theorist Virginia Henderson (1897-1996), often referred to as the “First Lady of Nursing”, developed a nursing model based on the 14 components of activities of daily living. The paper discusses the importance of applying these components to the nursing practice. She emphasized the importance of increasing the patient’s independence so that progress after hospitalization would not be delayed (Henderson 1991). Henderson’s Theory and the main concepts are discussed using a case study approach on a specific client to better explore the theory and how it influenced the nursing practice. Henderson’s principles and practices of Nursing laid a ground work for the nursing process that is still being used today in various fields of nursing.
Henderson’s Concept of Nursing in a clinical setting: Application in Nursing As health care professionals, nurses are called upon to provide care to their patients according to individualized needs. It is upon the nurse to care, assist and support the patient based on the 14 components of daily activities as out lined by Henderson’s theory. Nurses are called to provide a 24-hr service that helps human beings with their essential daily activities when they lack the strength, knowledge, or will, to carry them out unaided and to work towards the development of a healthy independence. This intimate and essential service is in the author’s opinion, the universal element in the concept of nursing. Henderson argues that the most successful preparation of nurses will always include whatever gives them the broadest possible understanding of humanity and the world in which they live. Henderson’s concept of nursing gives nurses an opportunity to deliver expert care and to have satisfaction from their effort, hasten the person’s recovery, help a person cope with a handicap, or die in peace when death is inevitable (Henderson, 1966).
The Henderson’s Nursing
References: Fitne, F. (Producer). (1988). Virginia Henderson-Definition of Nursing [Webcam]. Available from Fitne. Henderson, V. A. (1966). Nature of Nursing. A definition and its implications for practice, research, and education. New York: Macmillan (5 ed.). New York: Macmillan. Kearney-Nunnery, R. (2012). Advancing Your Career. Concepts of Professional Nursing (5 ed.). Meiner, S. E., & Lueckenotte, A. G. (2006). Gerontologic Nursing (3 ed.). St Loius Missouri: Mosby Elsevier.