Virginia A. Henderson "basic human needs"

VIRGINIA A. HENDERSON"14 Basic Human Needs"

"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"

I. Description of the Nursing Theorist

Virginia A. Henderson was born on November 30 1897, she is the fifth of the eight children of Daniel and Lucy Henderson. In her early education she studied at home with her aunt and her uncle, at his uncle's "All-Boys School".  She was studying in the US Army School of Nursing  in the year 1921, got her Bachelor in Science in the year 1932,and later on got her Master's degree in Teacher's College, Columbia University.

In the year 1921, she started working as a Public Health Nurse at the Henry Street Settlement in Manhattan, New York. She also worked for the Visiting Nurse Association of Washington, D.C. (1921 to 1923). Between year 1924-1925 she was the first full time nursing instructor in Virginia while working at Norfolk Presbyterian Hospital. Henderson taught at a University called Teacher's College in Columbia in the year 1934-1948.In 1953 at Yale School of nursing She became a research associate then being transitioned to emeritus status in 1971 and until the year 1996. Henderson traveled the world in her whole career not only to help and inspire nurses but other health care provider as well.

II. Meta-paradigm

Person- she defined person as someone who is in need of basic health component, and someone that requires assistance and also known as someone who does not have autonomy. In person she stated that mind and body are connected in any aspect of a human being, this include components like biological, psychological, sociological, spiritual and etc.

Environment- she defined environment as a setting that would contribute to the person discovering different pattern for living, in short an influence. It also affect the life and growth development of the person. The environment does not only apply to the literal environment, it also includes the relationship between person and families. Of course this has a big impact on her theory because almost all of the 14 human needs are affected by environment.

Health- she defined health as the ability of a person to perform task independently relating to her theory "14 Basic Human Needs". She also stated that we should stress out on disease prevention and health promotion of our client. Lastly, achieving good health is a challenge, why? Because there are tons of factors that hinders us from reaching it, these are age, cultural background, lifestyle, gender, emotional balance etc.

Nursing- Nursing for Henderson is the assistance to an individual to achieve the 14 basic human needs if they are not able to do it independently. Primary goal would be to nurse them to autonomy or to basically make them independent.

III. Model of the Theory

Henderson's was more of a result of an individual coming from hospital, because the nurses expected task is to nurse the individual get back to his healthy state, healthy meaning performing task independently in the 14 basic human needs component:

The 14 Basic Human Needs:

1. Breathe normally. 
2. Eat and drink adequately.
3. Eliminate body wastes.
4. Move and maintain desirable postures.
5. Sleep and rest.
6. Select suitable clothes-dress and undress.
7. Maintain body temperature within normal range by adjusting clothing and modifying environment
8. Keep the body clean and well groomed and protect the integument
9. Avoid dangers in the environment and avoid injuring others.
10. Communicate with others in expressing emotions, needs, fears, or opinions.
11. Worship according to one’s faith.
12. Work in such a way that there is a sense of accomplishment.
13. Play or participate in various forms of recreation.
14. Learn, discover, or satisfy the curiosity that leads to normal development and health and use the available health facilities.

These 14 human needs are actually holistic cause not only does it include the biological health it also includes spiritual, social, mental, emotional and etc. If we try to look at a bigger picture this model is actually quite identical with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory.

IV. General Assumption

The Assumptions for this Theory are :Nurses care for patients until they can care for themselves once again. Although not precisely explained, patients desire to return to health. Nurses are willing to serve and that “nurses will devote themselves to the patient day and night.” Henderson also believes that the “mind and body are inseparable and are interrelated.” (nurseslabs.com)Nurses are willing to serve and that “nurses will devote themselves to the patient day and night.” (Henderson, 1991).Nurses should be educated at the university level in both arts and sciences.Henderson also believes that mind and body are inseparable. It is implied that the mind and body are interrelated. (Henderson, 1966, 1991)(nursingtheories.weebly.com)

V. How is this Theory used in Research Studies

This theory is being used in our NCP's assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation(APIE). In assessment, questions will be asked based on the data provided we can also assume some of the activities that the patient cannot perform anymore or cannot perform routinely. In planning, we are tasked to follow the order of the doctor like the medicine prescription in order to meet the need or the goal of this theory. Implementation, this is the part where we can actually perform intervention relevant to the wellness of our client. Lastly, evaluation it helps us whether we have met the goal or not.

This theory is also applied in the nursing practice in order for us nurses to reach the desired outcome or goal. Our goal is based on the 14 components, this basis will be of good help to us because it opens our eyes and see what is the target for our client's performance to be better.

By: Joshelle Alvarado and Butch Salazar

VI. References

https://nurseslabs.com/virginia-hendersons-need-theory/

https://prezi.com/8qwxg61ku0lw/14-basic-human-needs-virginia-avenel-henderson/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Henderson

http://nursingtheories.weebly.com/virginia-henderson.html

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/nursing/virginia-henderson-theory-of-nursing-nursing-essay.php