The Impact of Virginia Henderson's Theory on Nursing

This essay delves into the significance of Virginia Henderson's Basic Human Needs Theory in contemporary nursing practices. It evaluates the theory's impact on patient care and the nursing process, emphasizing the importance of understanding patient needs. The paper explores Henderson's perspective on nursing, highlighting the nurse's role in assisting individuals to achieve health and independence. It discusses the theory's relevance in today's healthcare environment, examining how healthcare centers utilize it to improve nursing practices. The essay also outlines the fourteen components of the theory, emphasizing their contribution to patient well-being and the development of nurses' critical thinking and analytical skills. Furthermore, the paper analyzes how Henderson's theory influences nurses to become active learners, improve treatment quality, and enhance their ability to meet the diverse needs of patients. The essay concludes by underscoring the theory's foundations, including the concepts of individual, environment, nursing, and health, and how these elements contribute to the overall improvement of nursing practices and patient outcomes.

The relevance of Virginia
Henderson's work for
nursing today

1
Introduction
The application of the nursing theories within the clinical practices varies between
different contexts. It is essential for healthcare professionals to understand the needs of
the patient and to provide quality care services to them. This paper will help in
evaluating the desired impact of the basic human needs theory as well as the nursing
processes on current practices in nursing. For demonstrating the impact of nursing
practices in today's environment, the theorist view of Virginia Henderson will be
provided in this context. Besides this, the paper will also focus on the influence of the
theory of Virginia Henderson in the nursing practice. A journal article is selected for
describing the impact of this theory on the current trends in nursing procedures
(Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015). Moreover, proper reasoning will be provided regarding the
choosing of this theorist and its necessity in the learning context of nursing practices.
Furthermore, an explanation will be given regarding the relevancy of the article to the
clinical practice setting in present healthcare sector.
Abstract
The paper aid in evaluating the role of Basic Needs Theory of Virginia Henderson that
provides effective clinical setting practices of the nurses in the healthcare centre. With
the help of literature review the information regarding this needs theory are collected
that can eventually help the nurses to improve their clinical roles in the workplace.
According to this theoretical framework nurses have the ability to satisfy the patient
needs by delivering them an effective care service.it is analyzed that nursing profession
plays an inclusive function for assisting the patient in maintaining a wealthy life. As per
the theoretical approach if the nurses follows all the components of Basic Needs Theory
then they can preferably deliver an effective service for their patients
Aims
The primary motive of the journal of clinical nursing is to evaluate and promote the
development of knowledge regarding nursing practices. The article will help in
understanding the influence of Basic Human needs theory on the current standard

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practices of nursing (Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015). The aim of the article are to evaluate
the application of Virginia Henderson theory into the clinical setting of nursing practices.
and also to focus on the impact of the theory in today's nursing environment . After
accessing several theorist views, it is analyzed that the opinion of Henderson is quite
effective for the nursing practices. Hence, it is one of the prospect that influences me to
choose the theory of Virginia Henderson for this context. apart from this, another reason
of choosing this Virginia Henderson theory is to understand the needs of the patient
and help the nursing professionals to provide proper care and treatment to the person
across the world (del Socorro Morales-Aguilar & Pardo-Vásquez, 2016). If I can learn
effectively on this theory then I can use my knowledge practically in the nursing
practices properly.
Methods
The evaluation of the human needs theory will help in analyzing its impact on current
practices which are followed in nursing care. This paper will help in reflecting and
analyzing Virginia Henderson's needs theory in the evaluation and influencing of the
present nursing practices. Literature review procedure has been conducted for this
study and this help in focusing on the impact of the Virginia Henderson theory on the
current environment nursing practices. Virginia Henderson was born in the Kansas City
of Missouri, and due to her working experience and theoretical perspective, she is
considered as the nightingale of the modern nursing procedures (Bernhofer, 2016).
By collecting the information by reviewing the literature it is evaluated that the Need
Theory of Virginia Henderson provided a positive impact on today's world nursing
practices (Dreher & Uribe, 2016). Thus it is necessary to learn about Virginia Henderson
theory as it helps the clinical experts to utilize it in improving the nursing process of their
healthcare centre. The information evaluated from the literature review procedure
shows that the Need Theory of Henderson emphasized on the significance of
enhancing patient independence so that they effectively progress after discharge from
the hospital (McCall, Caine & Phillips, 2019). According to this theory of Henderson,
nurses have the ability as well as the responsibility to categorize their activities so that

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they can fulfil human needs properly. The theorist Henderson describes that the nurses
have the role of helping a person, working with the person and doing for the person
(Bender, 2016). With the help of this role, they can easily influence a person to be
independent and do their own treatment without facing any difficulty.
The information gathered from the selected article demonstrates that the nursing
profession is a unique function that assists the patients in maintaining a wealthy and
healthy life. In current nursing practices, the theory generally contributes to the health
and its recovery so that an individual can gain strength in reducing the health issue
(Fernandes, Clares, Borges, Nóbrega & Freitas, 2019). As per the theory, Henderson
demonstrates nursing as a concept that assists an individual in following some steps
which help them to be fit in life and also influence them to reduce their health-related
problems. The methods that have been used for this study help in analyzing the role of
the Needs Theory in fulfilling the desires of the patient effectively by the nurses across
the world (Magano, 2016). With the help of the chosen method, the nurses can indicate
the importance of using this theory in their clinical practice for improving the overall
treatment procedure of their healthcare centre.
Discussion
Impact of theory for today's nursing practice
As per Henderson, the individual persons have basic and fundamental needs that are
considered as the vital components of health. It requires assistance for achieving health
as well as independence for gaining a peaceful health condition. Henderson critically
evaluated its concept of nursing to reveal the importance of increasing patient's
independence so that the progress does not get delayed after getting hospitalized
(Bernard, 2018).
She defined nursing as "The unique function of the nurses are to provide complete
assistance to individuals to enhance their health conditions and looking for its fast
recovery. The profession can help a sick person to improve their strength and make

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them independent for doing their own treatment properly without taking help from
others" (Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015, pp. 444)).
The theoretical concept of Henderson provides a huge impact on the nursing practices
because it helps the nurses to understand the essential activities that are needed for
maintaining the health, recovery from a health issue and achieving a peaceful death. In
today's environment Virginia Henderson Basic Needs Theory are used by several
healthcare centres in the world for improving the nursing practices of the organizations
(Hofmeyer et al., 2018). By following this theory, the nurses become successful in
providing appropriate care as well as treatment to their patients. Hence, it is seen that
this particular theory of Henderson provides a positive impact on the nursing practices
of the healthcare centre by influencing them to build an efficient environment for the
patient.
The theory demonstrates fourteen components of which the first nine components are
considered to be physiological, and this helps the nurses to gain theoretical knowledge
of the practical situations relating to the health conditions of a patient (Fairbrother,
Chiarella & Braithwaite, 2015). The tenth, as well as the fourteenth components,
demonstrate the psychological aspects of learning and communicating. With the help of
this component, the nurses can adequately communicate with their patient and try to
understand their problem relating to health. The fourteen components of the Basic
Needs Theory are as follows:
 Breathing normally
 Drinking and eating adequately
 Elimination of body wastes
 Maintainance and moving the desirable postures
 Rest and sleep
 Selection of suitable clothes- undress and dress
 Maintainance of body temperature within average range by modifying the
atmosphere and adjusting the clothing
 Keeping the body clean, protect the integument and well groomed

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 Avoid injuring others and dangers in the atmosphere
 Communicate with others by expressing needs, emotions, fears and opinions
 Wordship in relation to one’s faith
 Work in such a manner that it create a sense of accomplishment
 Participate and play in several forms of recreation
 Satisfy, learn and discover the curiosity which leads to normal health and
development and use the available facilities relating to health
Moreover, by using these components, they can provide appropriate teaching to the
people so that they can sustain a strong immunity and also can avoid several health
problems. Apart from this, the eleventh component describes the moral and spiritual
context that helps a nurse to utilize their critical thinking ability before treating the patient
relating to any adverse health issue (Pinheiro, Santo, Chibante & Pestana, 2016).
The twelfth and thirteenth components of this theoretical approach define the
sociologically oriented prospect of recreation and occupation. By using the theoretical
knowledge relating to this component the nurses can improve their practical skills and
provide full effort in curing a patient and influence them to be independent in treating
themselves without taking help from other clinical experts (Gómez-Urquiza et al., 2019).
Thus by following this theoretical knowledge, the other healthcare experts helps the
nurse to increase their professional power of using systematic evidence while making
any decision for improving the patient condition. Another impact of this Henderson
theory in the current days nursing practices is that it influences a nurse to become an
active learner so that she can understand the patient problem and improve her quality of
care.
As per the chosen journal article, it is evaluated that the primary role of this theory is not
only to influence the nurses to improve their treatment quality but help them to develop
their analytical skills. By using this theoretical approach, the nurses of several
healthcare organizations of the world become improve their critical thinking ability and
clarify their assumptions and values to the patients. With the help of this skills, the nurse
can help an individual to use the proper method that must be suitable for him or her to

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be healthy and wealthy in life (Rodrigo, Caïs & Monforte‐Royo, 2017). Besides this, the
theoretical approach of Henderson concept also influences the nurse to serve a patient
with full effort until the individual becomes to recover from the adverse health condition.
It is analyzed that the Henderson theory of Basic Needs is based on four different
concepts such as individual, environment, nursing and health. If the nurses possess the
knowledge of these four different concepts, then they provide a positive attitude towards
their patients. The concept of an individual helps them to understand the basic needs of
health that are required to a patient regarding his or her condition (Ozaras & Abaan,
2018). Besides this, the knowledge of this concept enables the nurse to consider all the
psychological, biological, spiritual and sociological components that can influence the
health results of their patients. Thus after understanding the primary context of this
concept, a nurse can provide the exact solution to their patient so that in future, they
may not face a similar type of health problem.
Along with this, the environmental concept helps the nurses to teach their patient
regarding the living pattern, which is suitable for them to avoid mild health-related
issues. The proper environmental setting should be important for a patient to improve
their immunity power and to avoid specific health problems (Schachner et al., 2016).
Hence, it is analyzed that this concept of theoretical approach help in improving the
whole nursing practices of today's healthcare procedure. Besides this, the nursing
concept helps the nurse of the current healthcare sector to improve their quality of
treatment so that they can satisfy the fourteen basic needs of their patient. Currently, it
is seen that the healthcare sector is improving day-by-day and thus to cope up with the
recent trend of treatment the nursing practice should be improved for every nurse.
In order to improve nursing practice, the Henderson theoretical approach is useful for
nurses. Both the concept of nursing and health enable the nurse to use an effective
method of treatment for the people as well as it helps them to promote health and
preventive measures that are essential for being healthy in life. In current nursing
practice, the theoretical approach of Virginia Henderson is essential because it is
provided sufficient knowledge regarding the appropriate way that should be useful for

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treating every patient correctly (Shaffer, 2017). Moreover,by using this theoretical
approach, the nurses gained knowledge of using their skills properly in treating the
people.
Good health is to consider to be a challenge for the human being, and any health issue
can be generated through age, physical, cultural background as well as for the
emotional turmoil (Takase, Teraoka & Kousuke, 2015). After gaining knowledge
regarding this theory, a nurse analyzes the generation of the health issue and following
that they can give the proper treatment necessary for that person. Another reason for
using this Henderson theoretical concept in the nursing practices is to encourage as
well as motivate the nurse to give their full effort in work. By following this Basic Needs
theory of Virginia Henderson, the nurse analyze the demand of individual patients who
are suffering from several adverse health challenges (Smith, 2019).
In today's atmosphere, varied healthcare issues are originating with time. Thus in order
to reduce the adverse impact of the health issues, proper precautions should be needed
for each individual. Hence, for giving appropriate knowledge regarding the useful steps
as well as a precaution needed for individual, this theoretical concept is necessary for
the nurses. It helps them to determine the nursing theory procedures that can help
people to take care of their health properly. According to Henderson, Nursing Theory
Process are comprises of six elements such as nursing assessment, analysis, nursing
diagnose, planning, outcome, evaluation and implementation (Tesh, 2019). With the
help of the nursing assessment, each nurse can provide a dynamic and systematic way
to analyze and collect the client data and then build an effective treatment procedure.
From the nursing assessment findings, the nursing diagnosis has developed that
addressed the clinical condition of the patient. After that, an intended outcome generate
for long as well as short term treatment plan. If positive results are generated, then the
effective treatment procedure is implemented, and it is evaluated with proper care so
that the patient condition can improve properly (Shaha, 2016). These are the steps
involve in the nursing process that helps a nurse to use their skills, experience and
knowledge adequately for treating a patient suffering from severe health problems.

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Hence, these are several ways by which Virginia Henderson theory provide a positive
impact on today's nursing practice.
Relevance to clinical practice
The paper is purely relevant to clinical practice because it aims to highlight the
importance of changes required for nurses to deliver the best care services to all its
patients in today's nursing practices. Another reason which shows it relevancy with the
clinical practice is that the chosen theory help in improving the quality of care of the
nurses and also influence them to give their full efforts in treating a patient (Utley, 2017).
Hence both these reasons highlight the relationship of the Henderson theory with that of
the nursing practices along with its positive impact on the healthcare operations.

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Conclusion
The paper evaluated the desired influence of the basic human needs theory of
Henderson in today's current nursing practices. As per Henderson’s’ theory, the primary
role of the nurses is to provide reliable and complete assistance to patients so that they
can lead a healthy life. In current nursing practices, the theory helps to provide complete
safety treatment and medication to the patents. After accessing the journal, it is
evaluated that most of the healthcare-related firms incorporate this theoretical approach
in their business operations to improve the nursing care towards their patients.
Henderson’s’ theory helps nurses to develop critical thinking ability and analytical skills
respectively so that they can clarify their assumptions and values to their patients. The
theory provides a view regarding the fourteen concepts relating to the theoretical
approach and this help nurses to use proper clinical treatment to people without facing
any issue. Hence these are the several ways that reflects the importance of using
Henderson theory in today's nursing practices. Besides this, it is evaluated that the
theory provides a positive impact on the overall nursing practices of various healthcare.

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