Virginia Hendersons

Basic Needs Theory

A nurse, researcher, theorist, and an author

By: John Kervy A. Vergara

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Name: Virginia Avenel Henderson A.K.A.: First Lady of Nursing, First Truly International Nurse, Nightingale of Modern Nursing Born: November 30, 1897, in Kansas City, Missouri Died: March 19, 1996 at age 98 at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford. CT Father: Atty. Daniel B. Henderson Mother: Lucy Minor (Abbot) Henderson

Education:
Early education at home in Virginia with her aunts, her sister and an uncle, Charles Abbot, at his school for boys in the community Army School of Nursing, Washington, D.C. (1921) In 1929, she entered at Teachers College, Columbia University for her (Bachelor of Science degree completed in 1932 while Masters of Science degree in 1934).

Career in Nursing:

Henry Street Visiting Nurse Association, New York, New York (1921) Norfolk Protestant Hospital, Norfolk, Virginia as an Instructor and Educational Director (19231929) Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York as a Supervisor and Clinical Instructor at the Outpatient Department (1930) After her Masters Degree, (1934)Teachers College, Columbia University, New York as an Instructor and Associate Professor (1934-1948) Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut as a Research Associate (19531971) and as a Research Associate Emeritus (1971-1996)

Theory Background

She called her definition of nursing her concept (Henderson1991) She emphasized the importance of increasing the patients independence so that progress after hospitalization would not be delayed (Henderson,1991) "assisting individuals to gain independence in relation to the performance of activities contributing to health or its recovery" (Henderson, 1966). She categorized nursing activities into 14 components, based on human needs. She described the nurse's role as substitutive (doing for the person), supplementary (helping the person), complementary (working with the person), with the goal of helping the person become as independent as possible.

MAJOR CONCEPTS HENDERSON'S PHILOSOPHY USING THE FOUR METAPARADIGMS:

1. Individual Have basic needs that are component of health. Requiring assistance to achieve health and independence or a peaceful death. Mind and body are inseparable and interrelated. Considers the biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual components. The theory presents the patient as a sum of parts with biopsychosocial needs.

2. Environment Settings in which an individual learns unique pattern for living. All external conditions and influences that affect life and development. Individuals in relation to families Minimally discusses the impact of the community on the individual and family. Basic nursing care involves providing conditions under which the patient can perform the 14 activities unaided

3. Health Definition based on individuals ability to function independently as outlined in the 14 components. Nurses need to stress promotion of health and prevention and cure of disease. Good health is a challenge -affected by age, cultural background, physical, and intellectual capacities, and emotional balance Is the individuals ability to meet these needs independently. 4. Nursing Temporarily assisting an individual who lacks the necessary strength, will and knowledge to satisfy 1 or more of 14 basic needs. Assists and supports the individual in life activities and the attainment of independence. Nurse serves to make patient complete whole", or "independent." The nurse is expected to carry out physicians therapeutic plan Individualized care is the result of the nurses creativity in planning for care. Nurse should have knowledge to practice individualized and human care and should be a scientific problem solver. In the Nature of Nursing Nurse role is, to get inside the patients skin and supplement his strength will or knowledge according to his needs.

The 14 Fundamentals or Basic Needs of Man

Comparison with Maslow's Hierarchy of Need

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Hendersons Basic Needs Theory

Physiological Needs

Breathe normally, Eat and drink adequately Eliminate by all avenues of elimination Move and maintain desirable posture Sleep and rest Select suitable clothing Maintain body temperature Keep body clean and well groomed and protect the integument Avoid environmental dangers and avoid injuring other Communicate with others worship according to one's faith Work at something providing a sense of accomplishment Play or participate in various forms of recreation Learn, discover, or satisfy curiosity

Safety Needs Belongingness and Love Needs Esteem Needs

References:

Virginia Henderson International Nursing library. Henderson, V., The Nature of Nursing (1966), New York: Macmillan Publishing, page 15. Blais et al. (2002). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and Perspectives (4th ed.). D Antonio et al. (2007). Nurses work: Issue across time and place. New York: Springer Publishing. http://www.fotosearch.com George, J.B (1995). Nursing Theories: the base for professional nursing practice (4th ed).