Virginia Henderson Nursing Need Theory

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Introduction

For advanced nursing care, nurses must be familiar with nursing theories, which were established to give direction for clinical practice. According to Gligor and Carmen (2020), recent advances in technology, abilities, expert knowledge, and patient needs and expectations have resulted in a changing health system. Growing lifespans and chronic disease rates, the advent of day surgery, the increase in inpatient healthcare, and the decline in hospitalization have all led to altering dynamics of need and supply in the institution. These developments, in particular, have led to the creation of novel patient care approaches and a shift in the professional duties of nursing staff. This work was written for the purpose of familiarization with Virginia Henderson Nursing Need Theory.

Background

Theorists Background

The Need Theory was developed by Virginia Avenel Henderson, a nurse and a thinker. According to Rose (2017), she was a nurse educator, scholar, and author of several nursing publications. In Virginia, Virginia Henderson attended school with her aunts and uncle Charles Abbot, who ran a boys school at Walter Reed Hospital. She earned her nursing diploma from Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. The Henry Street Visiting Nurse Service employed Virginia Henderson for two years after she graduated from college. However, after two years, her great desire to serve the profession thwarted her plans. She worked tirelessly to change nurses perceptions throughout the years by doing extensive research that helped create the intellectual foundations of her profession. She traveled the world at the request of professional groups, colleges, and authorities to share her knowledge and encourage nurses and other medical workers during her career.

Phenomenon of Concern

Hendersons Need Theory is one of her most notable contributions to nursing. For patients to recover after hospitalization, it is essential to increase treatment choices and focus on fundamental human needs. Patient independence is emphasized as a means of speeding up the hospitalization process in this idea. Nurses can help satisfy these demands according to Hendersons idea.

Theory Description

Concepts

A holistic nursing approach is demonstrated by the 14 components of Virginia Hendersons Need Theory. According to Wallace and Jones (2020), these 14 basic requirements, according to Henderson, may be used to guide nursing interventions and help patients regain their independence, which is the ultimate goal. As Henderson defines, nursing has the objective of assisting patients with their care; however, some of the tasks mentioned in Hendersons ideas can only be applied to fully functional persons.

Diagram

14 Components of Virginia Hendersons Need Theory
Diagram 1. 14 Components of Virginia Hendersons Need Theory

According to Nurselabs, this diagram shows all components of Need Theory.

Relationships

All concepts describe a healthy life of a person; on this basis, they are related. The components cover all aspects of life  from normal breathing to various games.

Evaluation

Weaknesses

Despite Hendersons 14 ideas and subconcepts, there is no conceptual model to show how they are interconnected. The nurses role in providing a peaceful death is briefly described in the section on helping the dying individual.

Metaparadigms

To attain health and independence or peaceful death, people have basic health requirements. Wholeness is achieved when a persons physiological and emotional states are in harmony. In her definition of a patient, she included anybody who needs healthcare services, but she did not restrict nursing to sickness treatment. Mind and body are interdependent and interrelated, according to her philosophy.

Indeed, the Need Theory did not expressly define the environment, but Henderson claimed that one of her 14 actions for client help was creating a supportive atmosphere favorable to health. Hendersons study validates the responsibilities or agencies of the private and public health sectors in keeping the people healthy. She feels that society needs and expects nurses to care for those who cannot care for themselves on their own.

Hendersons health theory did not define health directly, but it was understood to indicate a state of equilibrium in all aspects of human existence. Concerning 14 fundamental human requirements, it is defined as the degree of independence or ability to carry out tasks without any assistance from others. Nurses play an essential role in promoting health, preventing illness, and treating disease to counterbalance this. As Henderson explains, maintaining good health is a struggle since it is impacted by various factors, including age, ethnic heritage, mental health.

While the nurse is required to follow out a physicians therapeutic plan, the nurses ingenuity in preparing for care results in customized care; ideally, the nurse is an autonomous practitioner who can make independent judgments. Assessment, assistance with health requirements, and provision of an environment in which the patient may conduct unassisted activities are all responsibilities of the nurse.

Application

Studies That Used the Theory

A nurses goal-setting can be guided by Hendersons 14 components using her Needs theory. Meeting the clients 14 requirements can be an excellent way of improving care for patients. Each of her 14 essential principles may be used as a research base in nursing, even if they were not expressed in words that could be empirically tested.

Area of Practice

This theory should be used universally in the field of nursing services.

Conclusion

Growing lifespans and chronic sickness rates, the advent of day surgery, the increase in inpatient healthcare, and the decline in hospitalization have contributed to the systems altering demand and supply patterns. They have led to the establishment of innovative patient care techniques and a shift in the nursing staffs professional obligations, in particular. As far as nursing is concerned, Hendersons Need Theory is one of her most significant achievements. Prioritizing core human needs and expanding therapy options are crucial for patients rehabilitation after hospitalization. As a method of accelerating the hospitalization procedure, this approach emphasizes treatment choices.

References

Gligor, L., Carmen D. D. (2020). Patient care approach using nursing theories-comparative analysis of Orems self-care deficit theory and Hendersons model. Acta Medica Transilvanica 25.2: 11-14.

Nurselabs. (2021). Fourteen components of Virginia Hendersons need theory [diagram]. 14 Components of Virginia Hendersons Need Theory.

Rose, K. (2017). Virginia Hendersons Need-Based Theory and Implications.

Wallace, A., & Jones, M. (2020). An evaluation of Hendersons nursing needs model and how it can be adapted for use in veterinary nursing. The Veterinary Nurse, 11(8), 340-347.

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