Theoretical Basis for Practice
Virginia Henderson: The principles and practice of nursing
Virginia Henderson “the principles and practice of nursing is one of the ‘grandy’ theories. She categorized nursing activities into 14 components. The needs were based on the human needs and included, physiological needs, psychological aspects and spiritual and moral; components. The physiological needs includes; sleep and rest, good clothing, elimination of body wastes, breathe in a normal way and eat and drink adequately, maintenance of normal body temperatures, keeping the body clean, and avoiding dangers in environment and any form of injuries (Halloran, 2001, p. 12). The psychological needs are to communicate with others and express their emotions fears, and learn and discover or to satisfy their curiosity that impacts on their development and health. The spiritual and moral needs includes playing and participating in recreational activities, worship according to an individuals faith and getting or feeling a sense of accomplishment in the works that one does (Henderson, 2006, p. 21). She defined nursing as a unique function in which a nurse is required to assist a sick person or a well individual in activities that promote heath /or recovery or a peaceful death (Henderson, & Nite, 1978, p. 67). The nurse has the duty to ensure that they help such individual to gain their independence as quickly as possible.
Virginia was born in Kansas City, Missouri in the 1897. She studied diploma in nursing at the Army school of nursing at Walter Reed hospital Washington D.C in 1921. After graduating from the college, she was employed at the Henry Street visiting nurse service. She worked at the Henry Street for 2 years and went at the Norfolk protestant hospital in Virginia where she was employed as a teacher of nursing in 1923 (Henderson, 1968, p. 23). She joined teachers college at Columbia University in 1929 and graduated with bachelors degrees in 1932. She did not stop but enrolled for her masters degrees and graduated in 1932. Upon her completion of master degree, she joined the university as a faculty member and became an associate researcher at Yale university school of nursing in 1953. She has received honorary doctoral degree and other numerous recognitions for her contribution in research in nursing.
Virginia understood the important of nursing and therefore, she sought to share her knowledge and experience in nursing to ensure that the field is respectable (Henderson, 1966, p. 34). She set the ground on what nurses are required to do and behave when attending to the people both sick and those near death. They have the responsibility of providing good care to patients until that moment that the patient can take care of himself or herself (Abrams, 2007, p. 382). It is also important for nurses to acquire skills and knowledge to ensure that they serve with diligent and professionalism.
According to Virginia, this theory can be applied to nursing meta-paradigm about persons, nursing, heath and environment. People require assistance in order to achieve health and independence or a peaceful death (Harmer & Henderson, 1955, p. 23). People have needs and these needs must be accomplished for them to have a sense of independence. Environment is important as it allows individuals to learn unique patterns of living. It also affects the development of individuals. On health, nurses have the responsibility of promoting health and prevention and cure of diseases. Nursing requires that nurses have knowledge to provide good human care and be good problem solvers (Keller, et al. 2011, p. 34)
Even though the theory was developed long time ago, it is still relevant in the Advanced Practice Nurses in practicing their nursing. Therefore, APN can utilize the theory in providing good healthcare to their patients. APN must be committed and ensure that they use knowledge and skills learned to provide healthcare services. By understanding the physiological, psychological, spiritual, and moral needs, nurses are able to provide effective services to their parents.
Cross post
The article is elaborative and precise. It has enlightened me about the practice of nursing. The Johnson’s behavioral system model is one of the theories that can impact positively on the advanced practice nursing. The behavior of the patients and any individual is very essential in prescribing medicine. The APN must have prerequisite skills and knowledge in behaviors to be able to prescribe the right treatment. The client environment is very important in prescribing assistance, treatment and referral and any other medications (Johnson & Webber, 2010). This information is therefore essential in enhancing the level of understanding among the APN and enabling them to provide better healthcare to their patients.
In comparison, the two theories require the APN to have knowledge and skills to offer better healthcare services. Nurses are people that require to have attained higher education qualification to help them provide better service (Abrams, 2007, p. 383). They have the duties of ensuring that they provide adequate health assistance to all the patients. Therefore, there are similarities in this. Being able to study behaviors and environment is key for nurses and therefore an important attribute that they need to have. Despite this comparison, McCrae, (2012) is of the opinion that these theories have had not yet bridged the gap between theory and practice.
One of the contrasts of the two theories is that Virginia theory is more inclined on how nursing should be practiced as opposed to Johnson, which focuses on the behavior of the patient.
References
Abrams, S. ( 2007). Nursing the Community, a Look Back at the 1984 Dialogue Between Virginia A. Henderson and Sherry L. Shamansky, Public Health Nursing, 24(4):382- 386.
Johnson, B. & Webber, P. (2010). Theory and reasoning in nursing.
Philadelphia: Lippincott,
Halloran, E. (2001). Henderson, Virginia, Nurses, American National Biography Online, Oxford University Press.
Henderson, V. (2006). The concept of nursing, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53(1):21-31.
Harmer B. & Henderson V. (1955). Textbook of the Principles and Practice of Nursing. Macmillan, New York.
Henderson V. (1966). The Nature of Nursing: a Definition and its Implications for Practice and Education. Macmillan, New York.
Henderson V. (1968) . ICN Basic Principles of Nursing Care. International Council of Nurses, Geneva.
Henderson V. & Nite, G. (1978). Principles and Practice of Nursing. 6th ed. Macmillan, New York.
Keller, L. et al. (2011). Cornerstones of Public Health Nursing, Public Health Nursing, 28(3): 249-260.
McCrae, N. (2012). Whither Nursing Models? The value of nursing theory in the context of evidence- based practice and multidisciplinary health care, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68 (1):222-229.
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