Underlying Assumptions Based on Virginia Henderson’s Definition of Nursing
1. Independence is valued by the nurse and the patient, more than dependence.
The client’s independence is promoted and encouraged. The phenomenon of goal attainment is quite clearly stated within Henderson’s definition of nursing in the final sentence: “And to do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible.” Ultimately, the sooner the person can care for himself or herself, find health information, or carry out prescribed treatments, the better off the person is. It is hoped that the recipients of care feel that the choice is their own.
2. Health has a meaning shared by the society at large.
Henderson explained how the factors of age, cultural background, physical and intellectual capacities, and emotional balance affect one’s health. These conditions are always present and affect basic needs. Because of her concern for the welfare of people, Henderson believed that nurses “should be in the forefront of those who work for social justice, for a healthful environment, for access to adequate food, shelter, and clothing, and universal opportunities for education and employment, realizing that all of these as well as preventive and creative health care are essential to the well-being of citizens.” By working on various social issues, nurses can have an impact on people’s health.
3. Individuals desire health or a peaceful death and will act in such a way to achieve this.
The individual pertains to person/s who are considered recipient/s of the nurse's action. Of foremost importance is that they should have good recognition of their present condition and by all means work towards the acquisition of the desired health state.
4. Individuals will perform activities leading to health if they have the knowledge, capacity or will.
The individual is by nature functional and can care for himself. However, due to the presence of a health condition, their capacity for self-care is compromised or limited. The role of the nurse enters the picture to be of assistance to the individual in providing for needs until such time that the individual learns the necessary skills and knowledge to care for self again in order to achieve optimum health.
5. The individual’s goal and the nurse’s goal are congruent.
Activities by the nurse can only be meaningful if they are also compliant with the individual's goal for health. Therefore, the nurse should explore about the individual's goal for care and integrate this in providing nursing care. Moreover, the uniqueness of the individual's condition should also be acknowledged to make nursing actions more salient to the person's needs.
6. The 14 basic needs represent nursing’s basic function.
Henderson considered the biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual components. Her 14 components of nursing function can be categorized in the following manner. The first nine components are physiological; the tenth and fourteenth are psychological aspects of communicating and learning; the eleventh component is spiritual and moral; and the twelfth and thirteenth components are sociologically oriented to occupation and recreation. She referred to humans as having basic needs that are included in the 14 components. However, she further stated, “It is equally important to realize that these needs are satisfied by infinitely varied patterns of living, no two of which are alike.”
7. Nursing’s goal may be subsumed into the medical treatment plan.
Henderson also emphasized that nursing activities are planned with the individual; however, it must also be in accordance with the therapeutic regimen of the physician. Likewise, nurses also take responsibility for the care of the person in the absence of the physician.
8. The major explicit assumption is Henderson’s contention that the nurse is an independent practitioner.
However, she also contends that the nurse is the primary helper in carrying out physician’s prescriptions.
As a member of the health care team, Henderson expects nurses to carry out the therapeutic plan of the physician. This nursing function is believed to foster the therapeutic nurse-client relationship. As a member of the interdisciplinary health team, the nurse assists the individual to recovery or to provide support in dying. The ideal situation for a nurse is full participation as a team member with no interference with the nurse’s unique functions. The nurse serves as a substitute for whatever the patient lacks in order to make him or her “complete,” “whole,” or “independent,” considering the person's physical strength, will, or knowledge to attain health.
Contributors:
Araullo, Dennis - Cavite, Philippines
Bautista, Irene Kate- Las Pinas City, Philippines
Bernardo, Marlon - Marilao, Philippines
Araullo, Dennis - Cavite, Philippines
Bautista, Irene Kate- Las Pinas City, Philippines
Bernardo, Marlon - Marilao, Philippines
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