Virginia Henderson By Lindy Hilding and Connie Chrisman

About Virginia Henderson • • • Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1897. Diploma in Nursing from the Army School of Nursing at Walter Reed Hospital, 1921. Worked at the Henry Street Visiting Nurse Service for 2 years after graduation. In 1923, started teaching nursing at the Norfolk Protestant Hospital in Virginia In 1929, entered Teachers College at Columbia University for Bachelor’s Degree in 1932, Master’s Degree in 1934. Joined Columbia as faculty, remained until 1948. Research associate at Yale University School of Nursing, 1953 Honorary doctoral degrees from 5 different Universities In 1985, honored at the Annual Meeting of the Nursing and Allied Health Section of the Medical Library Association. Died: March 19, 1996.

Also Known As: • “The Nightingale of Modern Nursing” • “Modern-Day Mother of Nursing. ” • "The 20 th century Florence Nightingale. "

Virginia Henderson's 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. And to do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible"

Theory Background • • • She called her definition of nursing her “concept” She emphasized the importance of increasing the patient’s independence so that progress after hospitalization would not be delayed "Assisting individuals to gain independence in relation to the performance of activities contributing to

Theory continued. . . • • 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

Henderson's Philosophy in Practice: • While a nurse's job is to care for patients, it is also to help patients be able to care for themselves when they leave the healthcare facility. This will help ensure that the patient has fewer setbacks during recovery from the illness or injury, and will help the transition into selfcare be smoother since a nurse will be helping and supervising along the way until the patient goes home. For those nurses who work in rehabilitation, Henderson's theory is one that can be easily used every day.

14 Components of Basic Nursing Care 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Breathe normally. Eat and drink adequately. Eliminate body wastes. Move and maintain desirable postures. Sleep and rest. Select suitable clothes-dress and undress. 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

Henderson Theory in OB: • Breathe Normally • Move and maintain desirable position • Communicate with others in expressing emotions, needs, fears, or opinions

Henderson Theory in OR: • Move and maintain desirable position • Maintain body temperature within normal range by adjusting clothing and modifying the environment • Keep the body clean and well groomed and protect the integument

Henderson's Theory & 4 Major Concepts of the Nursing Model 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

Continued. . . 2. Environment o Settings in which an individual learns unique pattern for living o All external conditions and influences that affect life and development o Individuals in relation to families o Minimally discussed the impact of the community on the individual and family

Continued. . . 3. Health • • • Definition based on individual's 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 individual's ability to meet these needs independently

Continued. . 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 independence. Nurse serves to make patient “complete” “whole", or "independent. " The nurse is expected to carry out physician’s therapeutic plan.

Case Study: 39 week gestation, arrives in active labor, contracting every 23 minutes. Major c/o intermittent mid-lower back pain with contractions. Rating pain 8/10. SVE 8/80/-2. Fetal heart tone baseline 105 with late decelerations. C-section called by OB Provider. Patient to OR, report received, anesthesia procedure completed, catheter in place, patient positioned. Procedure completed, baby to nursery, patient to PACU. 1. While in OB (as compared to OR), which "nursing role" is described in this case study? a) Substitutive b) Supplementary c) Complementary

Case Study Continued. . . 2. In the scenario where is the first place emotional balance (4 Major Concepts of Nursing Model) should be addressed? a) PACU b) postpartum c) discharge

References Henderson, V. (2006). The concept of nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53(1), 21 -31. doi: 10. 1111/j. 1365 -26 Lynaugh, Joan E. (1998). Virginia Avenel Henderson, 1897 -1996. Wellcome Library for the History and understanding of Medicine. 6(2), 176 -187. Nursing Theories: A Companion to Nursing Theories & Models, (2012, February 4). Virginia Henderson's Need Theory. Retrieved from http: //currentnursing. com/nursing_theory/Henderson. html Nursing Theory, (2011). Nursing Theorists: Virginia Henderson. Retrieved from http: //nursing-