Denise R Lewis Nursing Theory Presentation Profession Role of
Transition Professor Jagiello
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History of Virginia Henderson Born in Kansas City, Missouri in
1897 Nursing diploma from the Army School of Nursing in Washington,
DC in 1921. Teaching experience at Norfolk Protestant Hospital in
Virginia Bachelors degree in 1932 and Masters Degree in 1934 at
Teachers College at Columbia University.
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Henderson Continued Revised Harmers classic textbook of nursing
for its 4th edition and later wrote the 5th edition incorporating
her personal definition of nursing Research associates at Yale
university since 1953 Recipient of multiple Honorary Doctoral
degrees. Influential to the nursing profession in American and
throughout the world. Died in 1996. (Nursing Theories 2012)
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Virginia Henderson Theory Virginia Henderson Theory is often
call the Definition of Nursing. Henderson believes that: 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 a peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if
he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. And to do this in
such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible
(Blais,K Hayes,J 2011) Henderson also states that nurses play the
temporary role of: The conscious for the unconscious patients, the
love of lives for the suicidal, the leg of the amputee, the eyes of
the blind, a means of locomotion for the newborn, a voice for those
who are too week to speak. (Nursing Theorist 2010)
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The Development of Henderson Theory Contributed in the
modification of a nursing textbook Also brought awareness to the
fact that it was not mandated by many states to issue nursing
license. Henderson disagreed with the official statement of the
definition of nursing practice listed in American Nurses
Association (ANA) in 1932 and 1937 publication In 1955 Henderson
research work allows for the modification of the ANA
definition.(Nursing Theorist 2010)
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Theory Background Henderson explains nursing as a theory. Her
exact definition of nursing is her concept She stress that nurses
should allow patients to be independent as soon as possible to
bring them back to their pre hospital state. She also describes the
nurses roles as: Substitute Supplementary Complementary (Nursing
Theories 2012)
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Henderson list 14 activities that nurses need to assist their
patients
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1. Breathe normally
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2. Eat and Drink
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3. Eliminate body waste
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4. Move and maintain desirable position in bed
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5. Rest and sleep
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6. Select suitable clothing
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7. Maintain body temperature within normal range by adjusting
clothing and modifying environment
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8. Keep the body clean and well groomed and protect the
integument
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9. Avoid dangers in the environment and avoid injuring
others
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10. Communicate with others in expressing emotion, needs, fears
or opinion
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11. Worship according to ones own faith
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12. Work in such a way that there is a sense of
accomplishment
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13. Play or participate in various forms of recreation
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14. Learn, discover or satisfy the curiosity that leads to
normal development and health and use the available health
facilities.
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Conceptual Model of Nursing Henderson created the theoretical
model of nursing which shadowed the humanistic approach, in which
it highlights the caring of the sick, the incapable and even the
dying. It also gives emphasis to more on what the nurse should do
and who should they take care of and thus relates to the reciprocal
interaction world view category. (Nursing Theorist 2010)
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Hendersons Values and Beliefs Henderson explains that, Nurses
will assist the patients to reach their daily goals by giving them
the necessary tool to accomplish knowledge, will and strength. She
also strongly believed that nurses ought to know and assist her
patients with all their needs and promote independence. (Nursing
Theorist 2010)
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Assumption of the Theory Patient depend on nurses to assist
with their care until they become independent prior to hospital
admission Nurses will attend to the need of their patients anytime
It is the nurses responsibility to educate themselves at the
university level to be able to care in the event of complex cases
(Theoretical Foundations of Nursing 2011)
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Some Limitation to Henderson Theory There are no theoretical
association between physiological and other human characteristics.
No perception of holistic nature of human being Limited role of
nurses during the dying process (Nursing Theories 2012)
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Theory that is Relevant to my Practice Virginia Henderson is
the theorist that I found to be most interested and I apply her
theory to my practice. I respect all my patients and treat them as
if I was treating my own family members/love-ones. I assist them
with all their needs and promote independence. I follow her 14
basic needs that can be applied to patients of all ages. I am
always the patient advocate, especially for the ones that cant make
their needs known at the time, for example ventilated/stroke
patients. Knowing that I make a difference in these people lives is
the greatest accomplishment for me.
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Summary Henderson created her own theory of nursing and how a
nurse is to conduct themselves while caring for a patient and made
this available as the definition of nursing She stressed the
importance of basic human needs as the fundamental motivation of
nursing and has led to further theory development concerning the
need of the person and allow nursing to aid patients in meeting
those needs Her definition of nursing and the 14 components of
basic nursing care are straightforward and easy to follow (Nursing
Theories 2012)
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References (2012). Virginia henderson's need theory. Nursing
Theories, Retrieved from
http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Henderson.htmlhttp://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Henderson.html
2011). The principles and practice of nursing. Theoretical
Foundation of Nursing, Retrieved from
http://nursingtheories.weebly.com/virginia-henderson.html (2010).
Nursing Theorist: Virginia Henderson, Retrieved from
http://vahenderson2010.blogspot.com/
http://vahenderson2010.blogspot.com/ Blais, K. Hayes, J(2011).
Professional nursing practice. (sixth ed., p. 100). New Jersey:
Pearson Education, Inc.