Virginia Henderson, RN, MSN Nursing Theorist

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Virginia Henderson, RN, MSNNursing Theorist

• Susan Felicia, RN

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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)

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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)

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Hendersons 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 ones faith
• Work for clients sense of accomplishment
• Participate in recreation
• Learn, satisfy, discover

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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)

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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

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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)

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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 patients perspective and definition
  of wellness

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Question?

• How does the nurse accept indifference to
  recovery?
• Sometimes frustration
• Labeling the patient non compliant
• Accepting the limitations of the patients
  ability to move beyond the disease
• Reach out on the patients behalf for
  psychological and emotional support (consult a
  professional)
• What would you do?

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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.