Throughout the development of Nursing as a field of specialization, there were numerous theories formulated by renowned nurse scientists to explain the nature of Nursing as a distinct science, and the relationship of nurses to various clienteles, may they be individuals, families, or groups. Among the nurse researchers who laid the foundation for contemporary nursing would be Virginia Avenel Hernderson. Henderson was a nurse theorist who has contributed significantly to nursing ideals and nursing practice. She has been called the "First Lady of Nursing and the First Truly International Nurse" because of her writings, research presentations and contacts with nurses that profoundly affected nursing and gave an impression on the recipients of care by nurses throughout the world.The significance of a theory to Nursing as a profession as stated by Virginia Henderson:
"NURSING is rooted from the needs of humanity and is founded on the ideal of service. And that, “the nurse is temporarily the consciousness of the unconscious, the love of life for the suicidal, the leg of the amputee, the eyes of the newly blind, a means of locomotion for the infant, knowledge and confidence for the mother and the mouthpiece for those too weak or withdrawn to speak."
Virginia Henderson was famous for her Definition of Nursing which states that "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 peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. And to do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible."
This statement still holds true. Nurses, especially those assigned in acute care - where most nurses play an active role, are concerned with taking care of patient's needs and assisting them with activities of daily living - activities that the clients would have been capable of doing had they not been sick or incapacitated. Nurses are also crucial instruments for dying patients to have peaceful death and in consoling loved ones when the inevitable happens.
However, it is also interesting to know that Henderson's Definition of Nursing is not only applicable in nursing practice but is also important in the nursing academe and realm of nursing research. Professors and clinical instructors use nursing theories, such as Henderson's, to structure their pedagogical approach while nurse researchers use theories as framework for their particular research study.
Contributors:
Ang, Raymund - Bacolod, Philippines
Basilio, Josephine - Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines
Ang, Raymund - Bacolod, Philippines
Basilio, Josephine - Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines
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