Virginia

HENDERSON
The Principles and Practice of Nursing
"NURSING NEED THEORY"
 table of
CONTENT
bi ography ti meli ne need theory

3 roles of nurses DEFINITION 14 COMPONENTS

MAJOR CONCEPTS ASSUMPTIONS

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 Page 03 of 14
biography
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1897
Nurse, theorist, and author known for
her Need Theory
A well-known nursing educator and a
prolific author
virginia
Died in 1996 at the age of 98 henderson
The Sigma Theta Tau International
Nursing Library is named in her honor.
Also known as “The First Lady of
Nursing,” “The Nightingale of Modern
Nursing,” “Modern-Day Mother of
Nursing,” and “The 20th Century
Florence Nightingale.”
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TIMELINE
1921 1923 1929
Received a diploma in nursing Accepted a position teaching Entered Teachers College at
from the Army School of Nursing nursing at the Norfolk Protestant Columbia University, where she
at Walter Reed Hospital Hospital in Virginia earned her bachelor’s degree in
nursing in 1932 and a master’s
degree in 1934.

1937
Created a basic nursing curriculum for the
National League for Nursing in which
education was “patient centered and
organized around nursing problems rather
than medical diagnoses”
1939
Revised Harmer’s classic textbook
of nursing for its fourth edition
and later wrote the fifth edition, to
incorporate her personal
definition of nursing

Virginia Henderson: The principles and Practice of Nursing

“I believe that the function the nurse performs is primarily an

independent one – that of acting for the patient when he lacks
knowledge, physical strength, or the will to act for himself as he would
ordinarily act in health or in carrying out prescribed therapy. This
function is seen as complex and creative, as offering unlimited
opportunity to apply the physical, biological, and social sciences and the
development of skills based on them.” (Henderson, 1960)

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Virginia Henderson: The principles and Practice of Nursing Page 06 of 14

Need
THEORY
Importance of increasing patient independence
Focus of nursing practice (Basic Human Needs)
Nurses' Role (Assist in meeting patient needs)
Virginia Henderson: The principles and Practice of Nursing Page 07 of 14

3 Roles of the
NURSES
1. SUBSTITUTIVE - "doing for the person"
2. SUPPLEMENTARY- "helping the person"
3. COMPLEMENTARY- "working with the person"

(Atisham and Jacoline, 2015, p44)

Virginia Henderson: The principles and Practice of Nursing Page 08 of 14

Defined
NURSING AS:
"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 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.” (Henderson, 1966)
 14 Components of the Page 09 of 14

NEED THEORY
Breath normally.

Eat and drink adequately.

Eliminate body wastes.

Move and maintain desirable positions.

Sleep 01
project and rest.

Select suitable clothing.

Maintain body temperature within normal range by adjusting clothing
and modifying the environment.
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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.
 Major Page 11 of 14

CONCEPTS
Focus on individual care
Importance of environment in the perception of health and
well-being
Three areas of the environment:
-Biological
-Physical
-Behavioral
Health is related to independence with activities of daily
living
Nursing- assist the individual
 Assumptions
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Nurses care for patient until they can care for

themselves once again.
Patient's desire to return to health.
Nurses are willing to serve and devote
themselves day and night.
The mind and body are inseparable and
interrelated.
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Thank You for Listening!

PRESENTED BY: Page 14 of 14

Gaviola, Samantha R.

Lleno, Lyndcy Mae B.

BSN 1F