Henderson's Theory

Virginia Henderson defined nursing as "assisting individuals to gain independence in relation to the performance of activities contributing to health or its recovery". 

·         She emphasized the importance of increasing the patient’s independence so that progress after hospitalization would not be delayed.

·         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.

·         Her definition of nursing was "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"

·         She categorized nursing activities into 14 components, based on human needs. 

The 14 components

• 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
• Keep the body clean and well groomed and protect the integument
• Avoid dangers in the environment and avoid injuring others.
• Communicate with others in expressing emotions, needs, fears, or opinions.
• Worship according to one’s faith.
• Work in such a way that there is a sense of accomplishment.
• Play or participate in various forms of recreation.
• Learn, discover, or satisfy the curiosity that leads to normal development and health and use the available health facilities.

Assumption

The major assumptions of the theory are:

• "Nurses care for patients until patient can care for themselves once again.
• Patients desire to return to health, but this assumption is not explicitly stated.
• Nurses are willing to serve and that “nurses will devote themselves to the patient day and night”
• A final assumption is that nurses should be educated at the university level in both nursing arts and sciences.