Virginia Henderson Theory: 14 Needs of Patients

Virginia Henderson Theory: 14 Needs of Patients

Table of Contents

Introduction

Nursing is a unique sphere of knowledge which is aimed at delivering care to people who suffer from different illnesses. Being one of the integral parts of medicine, it has always been going along with humanity and evolving to be able to meet all challenges that might appear. Besides, the current approach to nursing obviously differs from the one that was used even a century ago. Like any science, it evolves and obtains new theories, concepts, and methods. Thus, it is also possible to distinguish people who contributed to the evolution of this very sphere more than others by suggesting their unique theories which contributed to the appearance of new more efficient perspective on a certain issue. Besides, at the moment there is a certain theoretical framework which helps nurses to perform their duties at the high level and improve the quality of patients lives. Thus, the existence of this very framework became possible due to the works of outstanding nursing theorists. Virginia Henderson is one of these unique people. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and is often titled with the Nightingale of the modern nursing (Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015).

Her contribution to the evolution of the given sphere could hardly be overestimated. She obtained her diploma from the Army School of Nursing at Walter Reed hospital. However, it was just the first stage of her career. She was recognized by numerous institutions and honored by the most outstanding colleagues of her time. Besides, she was also focused on the improvement of the basic knowledge in the given sphere and creation of a specific theory what would be able to encompass the most significant approaches to the delivery of care and assistance. Therefore, her Need Theory became a final result of her findings which suggested a new perspective on the way a patient could be treated.

Analysis of basic components

The given theory revolves around the concept of nursing and unique importance of the increase of patients independence (Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015). In other words, she wanted to make the process of recovery more nurse-dependant and assure that the progress would not be delayed after the hospitalization (Karnick, 2014). Henderson introduced her own characterization of nursing activities that rested on basic human needs which had to be fulfilled to improve a patients state. Additionally, she suggested another perspective on the role of a nurse and his/her contribution to the recovery process. It was described as substitutive, supplementary, and complementary (Alligood, 2014). At the same time, a nurses main task was to assist an individual in becoming independent and acknowledged. Henderson was sure that a nurse as the main contributor to the improved outcomes should be responsible for all activities that might help to maintain health, recover, or, in case the disease is fatal, die without suffering (Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015). In this regard, one should realize the fact that both psychological and medical help should be provided. That is why nine of activities suggested by her have psychological character. These are:

• 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 environment.
• Keep the body clean and well groomed and protect the integument.
• Avoid dangers in the environment and avoid injuring others. (Henderson, 1978).

The next two components (communicate with others in expressing emotions, needs, fears, or opinions; worship according to one’s faith (Henderson, 1978)) delve into the aspect of communication, and the last ones are sociologically oriented:

• 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. (Henderson, 1978).

Relevance

The significance of the given theory could be proved by the fact that it still remains relevant and numerous theorists accept it as the theoretical framework which might shape the functioning of any nurse. Besides, in her practice, Henderson obviously adhered to the basic points of this very theory and tried to assist a patient in his/her becoming independent and informed about the possible outcomes of one or another action. Thus, being not just a theorist, but also a practitioner, she managed to prove the great feasibility of the main conceptio