­­­­­­­Virginia Henderson 14 basic need theory 1955 (USA)

(By Mennonite Church USA Archives [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons )

Virginia Henderson 14 basic need theory 1955 (USA) 

Virginia Henderson was born in Missouri and graduated in nursing from Colombia University. She was a well known nursing educator and author. She developed a concept of nursing from her educational and practical experiences at the age of 55 years. She stated nursing as a “Nursing is primarily assisting the individual (sick or well) in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. It is likewise the unique contribution of nursing to help the individual to be independent of such assistance as soon as possible” (Harmer and Henderson, 1955).

The major assumption of the theory that the nurse care for patients until they can care for themselves. She defined the patient who needs nursing care with supportive environment. The concept of this theory involved the nurse attending 14 activities to assist the individual towards independence.

Breathe normally

Eat and drink adequately

Eliminate body wastes

Move and maintain desirable postures

Sleep and rest

Select suitable clothes

Maintain body temperature with in normal range by adjusting clothing and modifying environment

Keep the body cleaned and well groomed and protect the integument

Avoid dangers in the environment

Communicate with the others in expressing emotions, needs or fears

Worship according to one’s faith

Work in such a way that there is a sense of accomplishment

Play and 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.

To conclude, Henderson’s work is parsimonious in its presentation, but complex in its scope. The 14 statements cover the whole of the practice of nursing and her vision about the nurse’s role on patient care contributed to that complexity.