VIRGINIA AVENEL

HENDERSON
November 30, 1987- March 19, 1996

Virginia A. Henderson 1987-1996

Born on November 30, 1987
Received her Diploma in Nursing at Army School of Nursing in Washington
(1921)
Received her B.S and M.A degree in nursing at Teachers College, Columbia
University

Virginia A. Henderson 1987-1996

Achievements
well known nursing educator and a prolific author.
received honorary doctoral degrees from the Catholic University
of America, Pace University, University of Rochester, University
of Western Ontario, Yale University
warranted an obituary in the New York Times, Friday March 22.
1996.
honored at the Annual Meeting of the Nursing and Allied Health
Section of the Medical Library Association In 1985.

Virginia A. Henderson 1987-1996

Contributions
Created a basic nursing curriculum for the National League for Nursing (1973)
Revised Harmers classic textbook of nursing for its 4th edition, and later wrote the
5th; edition, incorporating her personal definition of nursing (1939)

Publications
Textbook for the principles and practices of Nursing. (1956)
The Nature of Nursing. A definition and its implication for practice, Research
and Education (1966)
The Nature of Nursing Reflections after 20 years
Analysis of Nursing Theory Images of Nursing, 1950-1970 (1991)

VIRGINIA HENDERSONS THEORY

THE FOURTEEN BASIC HUMAN NEEDS

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, and the patient is neither client nor consumer.

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.
Supports tasks of private and public agencies Society wants and expects
nurses to act for individuals who are unable to function independently. In
return she expects society to contribute to nursing education.
Basic nursing care involves providing conditions under which the patient
can perform the 14 activities unaided

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?

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."
Henderson's classic definition of nursing:
"I say that the nurse does for others what they would do for themselves if
they had the strength, the will, and the knowledge. But I go on to say that
the nurse makes the patient independent of him or her as soon as
possible."
The nurse is expected to carry out physicians therapeutic plan
Individualized care is the result of the nurses creativity in planning for care.

THE FOURTEEN BASIC HUMAN NEEDS

THE FOURTEEN BASIC HUMAN NEEDS

THE FOURTEEN BASIC HUMAN NEEDS

VIRGINIA HENDERSONS INFLUENCES

Contribution to Nursing Education, Practice and Research

Influence on Nursing Education

Nurse refers to man or woman with general education (high school) and
Basic Nursing Program (2 to 3 years).
To know why of nursing practice.

Outlined the Basic Program in Nursing

Includes: Biological and Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Medical Sciences and Nursing
Arts.
Biological and Physical Sciences: Understand Body functions (Normal and sub normal and
pathologic)
Social Sciences: understanding self and patient

Revision of Harmers Textbook of the Principles and Practice of Nursing

Plan of Care
Case Study: Colleting patients information

Influence on Nursing Education

Nursing is universally available health care and partnership between health
care workers.
Nursing vs. non nursing care
Non nursing care: ordering supplies, cleaning and sterilizing equipment and serving foods.

NO to delegation of task
all nursing care is essentially complex, it involves constant adaptation of procedures to
the needs of the individuals

Nurse as a substitute for the patients lack of necessary will, strength, or

knowledge to attain good health and to complete or make the patient
whole.

Influence on Research
Framework for preparing nurses
emphasized the importance of research in evaluating and improving the
nurses practice.

No profession, occupation or industry in this age can evaluate adequately

or improve its practice without research