1. Virginia Henderson's Philosophy
By: Alicia Berkle, Lisa Bottenfield, Patricia Crosby & Mark Rugarber
NUR 463
10/15/2017

2. Who is Virginia Henderson?
A pioneer of nursing who did not take the traditional course into nursing but pursued a career under very difficult circumstances during the WWII
An individual who recognized that we needed to define nursing to understand what functions would create a successful recovery in her patients
She recognized that the relationship between nurses and patients was critical to meeting the patient’s needs
Inspired other nurses to see nursing care from the perspective of 14 basic needs
(Black, 2017)

3. Background on Henderson’s Philosophy
“A list of patient needs that are the focus of nursing care” (Black, 2017, p.179).
Henderson saw the nursing role “…as that of a substitute for the patient, a helper to the patient or a partner with the patient” (Black, 2017, p. 179).
Idea of nursing originated from her personal experiences and education (McEwen & Wills, 2014).

4. Description of Henderson’s Theory
“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 (or to a peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will, or knowledge” (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p.137).

5. Three Crucial Assumptions
One
Two
Three
Patients will be cared for by the nurse until the patient can take care of him or herself. After that the patient will assume complete responsibility
“Nurses are willing to serve and that nurses will devote themselves to the patient day and night”
(McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 137)
Nurses should be well-educated in both science and art at the university level
(McEwen & Wills, 2014)

6. Alicia’s Approach to Nursing Care (referring back to my previous unit, Interventional Cardiology, where I worked for six years)
Goal is to ultimately prepare the patient for discharge
Encourage ambulation and sitting up in chair if able
Medications: teaching the purpose and side effects
Diet, daily weights, checking blood pressure – to be done once discharged
Follow up appointments
There are numerous nursing interventions and what may work for one may not work for another. Each individual is different.

7. Comparing Henderson and Maslow

8. “What can I help this patient do that he would do for himself if he could” (Black, 2017, p.178)

9. Trish’s Nursing Approach
Just like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Henderson’s theory helps me prioritize my patient care by:
Using individualized nursing care plans
Evaluating interventions based on up to date patient needs
Using a holistic approach
Collaborating with patient healthcare team
Respecting patient rights

10. Caring for the Sick, Well and Dying Patients
In order for me to care for patients and to gain their trust, I must first make sure their basic needs are met by:
Monitoring vitals signs.
Offering food and feeding patients that are not able to feed themselves.
Providing a quiet and safe environment so they can rest and be free of preventable accidents.
Offering medication, distraction & guided imaginary so they can be comfortable and pain free.
Making sure everything I do for my patients, are things they are able to do for themselves when they are out in the community.
Making sure they have a peaceful death by providing comfort care and respecting their wishes.
(Black, 2017)

11. How Lisa Relates to Henderson’s Philosophy
There are many theories and/or philosophies that contribute to effective nursing care, but I like Henderson’s best. The fourteen basic necessities Henderson incorporated in her every day nursing provided not just physical improvement, but addressed any emotional and spiritual needs which I think we forget sometimes in our daily care of patients. I have found that Henderson’s ways hits a home run with my medical surgical nursing unit (Black, 2017).
According to Fernandes, Silva, Borges, and De Freitas, (2016), with the growing challenges with individuals living longer we need to be focus on the whole person and meeting all of their needs. She speaks of individualized care because no one will recover at the same rate. This type of thought process is key to providing care that is individualized for one particular person. I believe that following Henderson’s philosophy gives me guide for total care of a sick and hospitalized patient.

12. Lisa’s Approach to Nursing Care
Following Henderson’s fourteen basic needs approach in encompassing all the patient’s needs.
Review current plan of care and not areas that are deficient and make appropriate changes.
Involved other members of the healthcare team..
Be flexible with changes in plan of care for individuals.
Contribute new ideas
Follow and believe the fourteen basic needs for care.
Assist terminally ill in providing peace and comfort as needed.
(Black, 2017)

13. Mark’s Approach to Nursing Care
Meet their physiological needs then emotional needs.
Oxygen requirement
Emergent Imaging
Life saving medications
Chaplain services if condition worsens
Advocate for our patients needs
Altered mental patients
Unresponsive
Contact next of Kin
Check code Status
Maintain a safe environment
Bed rails / Locked stretchers
Security in department

14. Thanks for viewing our presentation
Thanks for viewing our presentation. We hope you learned how we were able to relate to Henderson’s philosophy/theory of nursing.

15. References
Black, B. (2017). Professional nursing: Concepts & challenges (8th ed.). St.
Louis, MI: Elsevier Inc. 
Fernandes, B. K. C., Fernandes, M. V. C., Silva, L. F., Borges, C. L., & De Freitas, M. C. (2016). Nursing process based on virginia henderson applied for a working elderly. Journal of Nursing, 10(9), p Retrieved from
McEwen .M., & Wills, E..M. (2014). Theoretical basis for nursing (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health