Download Virginia Henderson, RN Nursing Theorist

Virginia Henderson, RN, MSN
Nursing Theorist
Susan Felicia, RN
Background
• Well known author, theorist and nurse educator
• Born in Kansas City, Missouri on November 30,
1897; Died March 19, 1996
• 1937 – with others, created nursing curriculum
for the National League of Nursing
• “patient centered and organized around nursing
problems rather than medical diagnoses”
(Henderson, 1991, p.19)
Definition of Nursing
• Henderson is famous for a definition of
nursing: "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 (or to peaceful death)
that he would perform unaided if he had the
necessary strength, will or knowledge" (Wills,
2007,p.139)
Henderson’s 14 Activities for
Client Assistance(Henderson,1991,p.22-23)
• Breathe normally
• Eat and drink
adequately
• Eliminate body waste
• Move and maintain
desirable posture
• Sleep and rest
• Suitable clothes – dress
and undress
• Maintain body
temperature
• Keep the body clean
and well groomed
• Avoid dangers in the
environment
• Express emotions, fears,
needs and opinions
• Worship one’s faith
• Work for client’s sense
of accomplishment
• Participate in recreation
• Learn, satisfy, discover
Concepts
• Metaparadigm
– Nursing, health, patient and environment
• Educated under a medical model transformed
into a nursing model
• Empirical vs. Esthetic Pattern of Knowing
• Art, Science and Teaching – cannot be divided
and examined separately
• “living and an appreciation for human life are
the sine qua non of the modem nurse”
(Halloran, 1996,p.20)
Nursing Theory
• Inuit means 'human beings' - phrase without
bias associated related to race, nationality or
sex (Halloran, 1996,p.18)
• Goal of nursing is to help people be free of
nursing care as soon as possible returning the
patient to a state of independence or the
baseline of autonomy at the onset of his/her
illness
Research
• Testability of the practice and outcomes of
nursing
• “Each of the 14 activities can be the basis for
research” (Wills, 2007, p.140)
• Interpretation: quantitative and qualitative
research has been beneficial in evaluating this
theory due to the combination of actions (14
activities) and the assumed devotion of the
nurse to his/her patients (affective evaluation)
Application to Practice
• Current practice – cardiac step down unit specializing
in heart failure
• Goal of nursing care is to return the patient to his/her
optimal self care ability via education on diet,
medications, daily weights and follow up appointments
to the physician
• Challenges – due to co morbidities associated with
heart failure, some patients may not have the desire or
capability to return to their pre-admission state,
therefore, the nurse must accept the patient’s
perspective and definition of “wellness”
Question?
• How does the nurse accept indifference to
recovery?
– Sometimes frustration
– Labeling the patient “non compliant”
– Accepting the limitations of the patient’s ability to
move beyond the disease
– Reach out on the patient’s behalf for psychological
and emotional support (consult a professional)
• What would you do?
References
Halloran, E.. Journal of Advanced Nursing. Virginia
henderson and her timeless writings.23.(1996,
p.17-24).
Henderson, V. A.The Nature of Nursing Reflections
after Twenty Five Years. New York. National
League for Press.
McEwen, M., Wills, E. Theoretical Basis for Nursing.
Wills, E. Grand nursing theories based on human
needs. Philadelphia. Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins.