Virginia Henderson - The Definition of Nursing
Background Information
- Born Nov. 30, 1897 in Kansas City, Missouri.
- Attended the U.S. Army School of Nursing during WW1 where she graduated in 1921.
- She later received a Bachelors of Science degree in 1932 and a Masters degree in 1934 from Teachers College, Columbia University. Afterwards, she became part of the faculty.
- At the age of 75, she decided to directed her career to international teaching and speaking.
- She died March 19, 1996, when she was 98 years old.
- Some honors that were bestowed on her:
- The Sigma Theta Tau International Library was named in her honor.
- She was selected to the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame.
- She’s held honorary degrees from 13 universities.
- In 1939, she revised Bertha Harmer’s Textbook on the Principles and Practice of Nursing. It became widely used by nurses throughout the world. Many could still study with her without leaving their homes. Studying with Henderson
- In 1953 she joined the Yale She remained there for 40 years. New Haven, CT Yale University
While there she Published:
- Nursing Research: A survey and assessment. (1964)
- Directed a twelve-year project entitled Nursing Studies Index (4 volumes)
- Her most important writing, Principles and Practice of Nursing , is considered the twentieth century equivalent of Nightingale’s book.
Definition of Nursing
" 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 peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessasry strength, will, or knowledge and to do this in such away as to help him again independence as rapidly as possible"
14 Basic Needs
- Breathing normally
- Eating and drinking adequately
- Eliminating body wastes
- Moving and maintaining a desirable position
- Sleeping and resting
- Selecting suitable clothes
- Maintaining body temperature… by adjusting cothing and modifying the environment
- Keeping the body clean and well-groomed
- Avoiding dangers in the environment and avoiding injuring others
- Communicating with others in expressing emotions, needs, fears, or opinions
- Worshipping according to one’s faith
- Working in such a way that one feels a sense of accomplishment
- Playing or participating in various forms of recreation
- Learning, discovering, or satisfying the curiosity that leads to normal development and health, and using available health facilities
A Nurse’s Role
- Substitutive : acting for a person
- Supplementary : assisting a person
- Complementary : working with the person
by : Nasreen Ali & Abigail de Veyra
Source : http://www.slideshare.net
