Virginia Henderson

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Virginia Henderson's definition of nursing focused on the function of nursing as being able to assist the individual, sick or well, in attaining and maintaining health. The author points out that Henderson believes there is an exchange that takes place between those who provide care and those cared for that goes beyond the empirical reality of the moment and incorporates the spiritual. The paper relates that Virginia Henderson's life, philosophies, and theories places the work of nursing into the realm of "art", providing a humanist view to a profession easily sidetracked by the drudgery of duty.

From the Paper:

"Henderson's fourteen areas of nursing care, based on health being defined in terms of the physical, psychological, spiritual/moral, and sociological aspects of an individual, formed the foundation for her teaching of principles and practice. The physical area included breathe normally, eat and drink adequately, eliminate body wastes, move and maintain desirable positions, sleep and rest, select suitable clothing, maintain normal body temperature, keep the body clean and well-groomed and avoid dangers and injuries. In the psychological area, the nurse was responsible for communicating with others in expressing emotions, needs, fears or opinions, learning, discovering or satisfying the curiosity that leads to normal development and health and use the available health facilities. In the spiritual or moral area, the nurse should worship according to one's faith, and in the sociological area he or she should work with a sense of accomplishment and play or participate in various forms of recreation."

More papers on Virginia Henderson:

• Analytical Essay # 136598 : "Virginia Henderson and Humane Holistic Care"
• Term Paper # 141700 : "Florence Nightingale and Virginia Henderson"
• Essay # 46559 : "Virginia Henderson, Eminent Nurse"

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