VIRGINIA HENDERSON: BIOGRAPHY AND 14 NEEDS (MODEL) - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Virgina Henderson was an American who spent her life dedicated to the practice and research of nursing. Since 1950, her total dedication to it gave rise to theories and foundations that apply to date.

In her work, Virginia Henderson redefined nursing in functional terms, incorporating physiological and psychopathological principles. She also considered that this would change according to the time; that is, its definition would not be final.

Virginia Henderson - Image extracted from the site

The theoretical study of nursing itself has its origins in the book «Notes on Nursing» by the Italian Florence Nightingale in 1852. Prior to this work, nursing was considered an activity based on practice and common knowledge.

Florence Nightingale from Carte de Visite - By H. Lenthall, London, via Wikimedia Commons

Virginia Henderson claimed that nursing was a service available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This makes a lot of sense today, as the nursing staff is always by the patient's side for whatever they need.

Henderson's approach has been very useful in explaining the importance of the independence of the nursing branch with respect to other areas of health.

Biography

Virginia Henderson was born in 1897 in Kansas City, a city in the state of Missouri, United States on March 19.

At the age of 21, she began her nursing studies in Washington DC (at the army school); His main motivation to follow this path was the First World War, since he assisted several of his compatriots during that period.

Upon graduation in 1921, Virginia Henderson got her first job as a nurse at the Henry Street Settlement, a non-profit social service agency, located in Manhattan, New York. A year later, she began her career as a teacher (1922).

From there, he would begin his long training through the years:

• 1926: Enters Teachers College (Columbia University).
• 1929: Serves as Pedagogical Supervisor at Strong Memorial Hospital (Rochester, New York).
• 1930: Returns to Teachers College and teaches courses on clinical practice and nursing analysis techniques.
• 1932: Obtains a Bachelor's degree from Teachers College.
• 1934: Obtains a Master of Arts degree from Teachers College.
• 1948-1953: Makes the revision of the fifth edition of the book by Berta Harmer "Textbook of principles and practice of nursing", published in 1939.
• 1955: Publishes the sixth edition of the book "Textbook of principles and practice of nursing."
• 1959: Directs the Nursing Studies Index project.
• 1966: Publishes "The Nature of Nursing."
• 1980: Retired, she remains associated with research at Yale University.
• 1983: Receives the Mary Tolles Wright Founders Award.
• 1978: Publishes the sixth edition of "The principles of Nursing".
• 1988: Receives an honorable mention for contributions to nursing from ANA (American Nurses Association).

Virginia Henderson passed away on November 30, 1996 at the age of 99.

Virginia Henderson's 14 Needs (Model)

The needs of Virginia Henderson is a theory or model that defines the focus of nursing practice. It seeks to increase the independence of the patient in her recovery to accelerate her improvement during her stay in the hospital.

Virginia Henderson's model emphasizes basic human needs as the central focus of nursing practice. It has led to the development of many other models in which nurses are taught to assist patients from the point of view of their needs.

According to Henderson, initially a nurse should act for the patient only when he does not have the knowledge, physical strength, will or ability to do things on his own or to carry out the treatment correctly.

The idea is to assist or contribute to the improvement of the patient until he can take care of himself. It also includes assisting a sick person by helping to bring him to a quiet and peaceful death.

The 14 needs are explained below:

1- Breathe normally

The gaseous exchange of the body is essential for patient health and for life itself.

The nurse must become familiar with the respiratory function of the person and know how to identify the possible inconveniences of this process.

This includes helping with correct body posture, watching for strange noises while breathing, and keeping an eye out for nasal secretions and mucus.

You should also monitor the respiratory rate and rhythm, check that the airways are not obstructed, observe the temperature and air circulation in the room, among other aspects.

2- Eat and drink properly

Every organism requires fluids and nutrients for survival. The nurse must be aware of the type of diet and hydration, according to the nutritional requirements of the patient and the treatment ordered by the doctor.

It should take into account appetite and mood, schedules and amounts, age and weight, religious and cultural beliefs, chewing and swallowing abilities, among others.

3- Normal elimination of body waste

Part of the proper functioning of the body is the normal elimination of feces, urine, sweat, phlegm and menstruation.

The level of control and effectiveness of the patient with respect to their excretory functions must be well known. This point includes special attention to the hygiene of the intimate parts.

4- Mobility and appropriate postures

A patient will feel more or less independent to the extent that he can move on his own to carry out his day-to-day activities.

The nurse must help the body mechanics of the person and motivate him to carry out physical activity, exercises and sports.

When motivating him, he must take into account the different limitations given by the particular disease, treatment, therapy or deformities of the body.

5- Sleep and rest

Rest is very important for the speedy recovery of the person. Every organism recovers physical and mental strength while it sleeps.

The quiet and uninterrupted rest of the patient should be a priority, especially at night.

You must know the rest habits and also the difficulties in falling asleep, such as sensitivities to noise, lighting, temperature, among others.

6- Dressing and undressing normally

Being able to select and wear desired clothing also influences a patient's sense of independence.

Clothing represents identity and personality, but also protects against the elements and cares for individual privacy.

7- Maintain body temperature in normal ranges

Normal body temperature is between 36.5 and 37 ° C. The nurse must be aware of the factors that influence whether the patient is hot or cold.

The body's thermoregulation is always accompanied by changing clothes, the use of sheets and blankets, the opening of windows and doors, drinking water, the use of fans or air conditioners, and even taking a shower.

8- Maintain good body hygiene

The way the patient's body looks, feels, and smells are external signs of their hygiene.

This factor is not only a physiological manifestation; in nursing it is also considered a factor with great psychological value.

When bathing a person, the nurse must consider the frequency of cleaning the body, the means and utensils that are used, the level of mobility and independence of the patient, among other factors.

9- Avoid dangers in the environment and avoid endangering others

It is important that it is well known and evaluated if the patient can be left alone for a long time, with enough confidence that he will not hurt himself when moving or trying to perform activities, nor compromise the safety of others.

10- Communicate emotions, needs, fears and opinions

The nurse must be able to promote and motivate healthy and adequate communication of the patient, to help their emotional balance.

It is important that the person remains in social interaction with others to also ensure mental health.

11- Act or react according to one's own beliefs

The patient's particular values ​​and beliefs must be respected. Based on these, she makes her decisions and exercises certain actions or thoughts.

Culture and religion are part of the identity of the person. This factor almost always influences the attitude towards death.

12- Develop in a way that there is a sense of achievement

It is important that the nurse encourages the patient to achieve goals and achievements with her own effort.

If a patient feels productive and useful, they will have a sense of personal fulfillment that will influence their self-esteem and mental health.

13- Participate in recreational activities or games

The health of the body and mind is also achieved with activities that entertain the patient.

The nurse must know the tastes and interests of the person and motivate him to participate in activities that are motivating.

14- Learn, discover or satisfy personal curiosity

This point is similar to the previous one, but is based on the person's sense of mental productivity when acquiring new knowledge.

Keeping the patient developing skills, abilities and knowledge is favorable for health.

In the case of children or young patients, it is important that they keep their academic studies as active as possible.

References

1. Alice Petiprin. Need Theory. Nursing Theory Web. Recovered from nursing-theory.org
2. Gonzalo, A (2011). Virginia Henderson - The Principles and Practice of Nursing. Theoretical Foundations of Nursing. Recovered from nursingtheories.weebly.com
3. College of Allied Medicine (2008). Definition of Nursing and the "14 Components of Nursing Care". COAM - Theoretical Foundations of Nursing. Recovered from slsu-coam.blogspot.com
4. Matt Vera (2014). Virginia Henderson's Nursing Need Theory. Nurse Labs. Recovered from nurseslabs.com
5. Eduardo Hernandez Rangel. Basic Needs of Virginia Henderson. Scribd. Recovered from es.scribd.com
6. Atempus (2013). Virginia Henderson Basic Needs. Observatory of Nursing Methodology. Recovered from ome.es