Virginia Henderson 's Need Theory Critique’s Need Theory Critique
Virginia Henderson developed her Need Theory from her definition of nursing. She believed that humans had fourteen basic needs. These needs are sub-categorized into physiological, psychological, social and moral, environmental and sociological. The nurse is expected to help the patient meet their needs whenever required (Sitzman & Eichelberger, 2011). I choose to evaluate Henderson 's Need theory because it relevant today and will continue to be. Nurses and other healthcare providers take care and assist patients in their time of need. We also need to be sure that patients can care for themselves to a state of wellness. I have used this theory when I cared for my ICU patients. …show more content…
The theory is simple because there are a finite number of basic needs. The purpose of the theory is consistent with all components (basic needs) of the theory. I believe it is relatively clear, and there is no tautology. There are no boundaries or explicit definitions, but one can draw many assumptions. Henderson does not describe which needs are more important. I would assume that she feels that all are equally important to the patient, but it is unclear.
Generalizability and Accessibility of Theory
I believe the theory is generalizable and broad in scope. It can be applied in all healthcare settings, different age groups, sex, and cultures. It can be utilized by various health professionals though priorities of the needs may differ. The Need Theory can be accessed by different nursing and medical domains as they are well defined. Some of the needs are measurable (eating, drinking, bodily waste) while others can be assessed and not measured (sleeping, cleanliness, communication, worship and play). The concepts are clinically relevant and can be used to shape nursing …show more content…
The 3 are inter-twined. The basic needs that were identified by Henderson were carried forward in nursing textbooks (Halloran, 1996) and further nursing research such as Abdallah 's 21 Nursing Problems (Duffy, Donnell, & Snowden, n.d., Chapter 4). There is obviously clinical value as it guides nursing practice. The theory is an important component of our knowledge development.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I feel that the theory is easy to understand. It is simple and has clear concepts that are transferable to other healthcare domains. This makes the Need Theory applicable to all providers that care for patients. Limitations of the theory would include that the priority of needs is not articulated in the theory, and Henderson does not speak to the dying process. This puzzles me as the dying process is in her definition of nursing (Sitzman & Eichelberger, 2011, p.35).
This graduate student believes that the Need Theory was one theory that was instrumental in the development of nursing knowledge and the profession of nursing. As noted previously, Henderson 's work has been published in nursing textbooks and has led to further research. Ideas and questions are important to knowledge development and theory development. Nurses owe it to our profession to continue to seek knowledge that can be utilized to prevent illness and maintain or promote
Virginia Henderson developed her Need Theory from her definition of nursing. She believed that humans had fourteen basic needs. These needs are sub-categorized into physiological, psychological, social and moral, environmental and sociological. The nurse is expected to help the patient meet their needs whenever required (Sitzman & Eichelberger, 2011). I choose to evaluate Henderson 's Need theory because it relevant today and will continue to be. Nurses and other healthcare providers take care and assist patients in their time of need. We also need to be sure that patients can care for themselves to a state of wellness. I have used this theory when I cared for my ICU patients. …show more content…
The theory is simple because there are a finite number of basic needs. The purpose of the theory is consistent with all components (basic needs) of the theory. I believe it is relatively clear, and there is no tautology. There are no boundaries or explicit definitions, but one can draw many assumptions. Henderson does not describe which needs are more important. I would assume that she feels that all are equally important to the patient, but it is unclear.
Generalizability and Accessibility of Theory
I believe the theory is generalizable and broad in scope. It can be applied in all healthcare settings, different age groups, sex, and cultures. It can be utilized by various health professionals though priorities of the needs may differ. The Need Theory can be accessed by different nursing and medical domains as they are well defined. Some of the needs are measurable (eating, drinking, bodily waste) while others can be assessed and not measured (sleeping, cleanliness, communication, worship and play). The concepts are clinically relevant and can be used to shape nursing …show more content…
The 3 are inter-twined. The basic needs that were identified by Henderson were carried forward in nursing textbooks (Halloran, 1996) and further nursing research such as Abdallah 's 21 Nursing Problems (Duffy, Donnell, & Snowden, n.d., Chapter 4). There is obviously clinical value as it guides nursing practice. The theory is an important component of our knowledge development.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I feel that the theory is easy to understand. It is simple and has clear concepts that are transferable to other healthcare domains. This makes the Need Theory applicable to all providers that care for patients. Limitations of the theory would include that the priority of needs is not articulated in the theory, and Henderson does not speak to the dying process. This puzzles me as the dying process is in her definition of nursing (Sitzman & Eichelberger, 2011, p.35).
This graduate student believes that the Need Theory was one theory that was instrumental in the development of nursing knowledge and the profession of nursing. As noted previously, Henderson 's work has been published in nursing textbooks and has led to further research. Ideas and questions are important to knowledge development and theory development. Nurses owe it to our profession to continue to seek knowledge that can be utilized to prevent illness and maintain or promote