Theory Application Paper
Virginia Henderson was well known as a theorist, educator, researcher, author, and scholar. Henderson was often referred to as the mother of nursing in the modern day era ("Virginia Avenel Henderson," 1996). The need theory developed by Henderson was based on her nursing practice and education (Wills, 2014). Henderson’s work regarding the function of the nurse is a synthesis of both positive and negative influences (Henderson, 1964). The need theory developed by Henderson stressed the importance of assisting the patient toward independence in meeting the fourteen basic human needs which is the basis of nursing care (Henderson, 1991). Henderson’s need theory saw the mind and body as working together and were inseparable …show more content…
Henderson (1964) explained her first nursing experience was in a general hospital during basic training where care was practiced and based on the textbook. Nursing care was limited to routines and techniques that followed the physician orders but did not incorporate the practice of nursing (Henderson, 1964). Henderson’s first nursing experience showed her what nursing care should not be and although negative did contribute to her knowledge base for future theory development. Henderson found a positive experience in the home health setting. In the Henry Street Visiting Nurse Agency, Henderson found what was often taught to patients during hospitalization did not work at home (Henderson, 1991). Through these observations Henderson was able to grasp what was missing from the care nurses were providing in the hospital. What brought the patient to the hospital was treated but the underlying cause of what lead up to the event necessitating hospitalization was often not addressed (Henderson, 1964). These observations and influences in the early part of Henderson’s career showed her that nursing should be more than following physician orders and the importance of patient preparation and education to ensure a smooth transition from the hospital to …show more content…
Psychiatric nurses Gwen Tudor and Ida Orlando contributed to the nursing ideas held by Henderson. According to Henderson (1991) nursing is most effective by maintaining constant observation and interpretation of the patient’s behavior. Henderson (1964) reported that the nurse must validate with the patient the observations and interpretations the nurse has made in order to avoid misconceptions or misunderstanding. Validation with the patient ensures the nurse intervenes appropriately on behalf or in conjunction with the patient. Throughout Henderson’s writings she reported that she had many influences while developing her nursing concept but could not possibly mention them all (Henderson,
Virginia Henderson was well known as a theorist, educator, researcher, author, and scholar. Henderson was often referred to as the mother of nursing in the modern day era ("Virginia Avenel Henderson," 1996). The need theory developed by Henderson was based on her nursing practice and education (Wills, 2014). Henderson’s work regarding the function of the nurse is a synthesis of both positive and negative influences (Henderson, 1964). The need theory developed by Henderson stressed the importance of assisting the patient toward independence in meeting the fourteen basic human needs which is the basis of nursing care (Henderson, 1991). Henderson’s need theory saw the mind and body as working together and were inseparable …show more content…
Henderson (1964) explained her first nursing experience was in a general hospital during basic training where care was practiced and based on the textbook. Nursing care was limited to routines and techniques that followed the physician orders but did not incorporate the practice of nursing (Henderson, 1964). Henderson’s first nursing experience showed her what nursing care should not be and although negative did contribute to her knowledge base for future theory development. Henderson found a positive experience in the home health setting. In the Henry Street Visiting Nurse Agency, Henderson found what was often taught to patients during hospitalization did not work at home (Henderson, 1991). Through these observations Henderson was able to grasp what was missing from the care nurses were providing in the hospital. What brought the patient to the hospital was treated but the underlying cause of what lead up to the event necessitating hospitalization was often not addressed (Henderson, 1964). These observations and influences in the early part of Henderson’s career showed her that nursing should be more than following physician orders and the importance of patient preparation and education to ensure a smooth transition from the hospital to …show more content…
Psychiatric nurses Gwen Tudor and Ida Orlando contributed to the nursing ideas held by Henderson. According to Henderson (1991) nursing is most effective by maintaining constant observation and interpretation of the patient’s behavior. Henderson (1964) reported that the nurse must validate with the patient the observations and interpretations the nurse has made in order to avoid misconceptions or misunderstanding. Validation with the patient ensures the nurse intervenes appropriately on behalf or in conjunction with the patient. Throughout Henderson’s writings she reported that she had many influences while developing her nursing concept but could not possibly mention them all (Henderson,