The life span of nursing cannot be summed up into one general facet of time, but rather, into periods that revolutionized and evolved continuously from the first evidence of medicine to present modern day medicine. The entire medical field, including nursing practice, does not pause when new technologies are brought forth; there is never a moment where work towards the future is not being put into action. Virginia Henderson stated, “Nursing theories mirror different realities, throughout their development; they reflected the interests of nurses of that time” (As cited in Powell, 2012). Without questions and theories to propel the inquisitive nature of medical practice such as nursing, modern medicine would not be as advanced as it is today. Therefore, to appreciate how far we have come, nurses must recognize the work of others. Without the work of theorists, such as Virginia Henderson, the profession of nursing may not have become an occupation with as much merit as it has today.
Virginia Henderson is often referred to as “The Nightingale of Modern Nursing” or the “Modern-Day Mother of Nursing” (Flynn, 1997). Henderson’s definition of nursing is,
“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" (As cited in Powell, 2012).
Throughout her career as a nurse, Henderson had the opportunity to observe the lifestyle and needs of thousands of individuals, both well and ill. Her observations allowed her to relate to the demands all persons have...
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...damental human needs of an individual, a quality healthcare experience may never have been established.
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A nurse’s role in our society today is exceptionally significant. Nurses are somewhat idolized and looked to as our everyday “superman”. “The mission of nursing in society is to help individuals, families, and groups to determine and achieve physical, mental, and social potential, and to do so within the challenging context of the environment in which they live and work” (“The Role of a Nurse/Midwife”). Many Americans turn to nurses for delivery of primary health care services and health care education (Whelan). In our country, there is constantly someone in need of health care. There will always be a baby being born or a person dying, someone becoming ill or growing old. Some people due to their physical and/or mental state of health are completely dependent on a nurse and wouldn’t be able to get through the simple obstacles of every day, or achieve the necessary requirements of a simple day without their aid. Not only do nurses help, and assist you when you’re sick, but also act to promote good health to others. They end...
Nursing’s development from an occupation to a profession follows the devotion and sacrifice of many amazing women throughout history. Considered to be one of the oldest professions, women have performed what could be considered nursing duties since the beginning of time. Although there have been many events and many individuals who have contributed to nursing’s evolution from the occupation it was once considered to the profession that now exists, the development of formal education opportunities and scholarly resources and the women who created them is what fascinates me most. Without knowing, each of the following five women helped lay the groundwork for what Lucie Kelly, RN, PhD, FAAN, eventually termed the eight characteristics of a profession
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Potter, P. A., & Perry, A. G. (2009). Fundamentals of nursing (Seventh ed.). St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby Elsevier.
She first developed an interest in nursing during World War I because she felt an inner need to help wounded and sick soldiers (“Virginia Avenue Henderson – the mother,” 1996). She started her nursing career in 1918 at the US Army School of Nursing and later became a nursing instructor at the Norfolk Protestant Hospital in Virginia (Smith, 1997). Henderson received her education during the empiricist era of nursing, which focused on needs however, she felt her theoretical ideas developed and advanced throughout her nursing career and experiences in the medical surgical unit. This is where she realized the importance of helping the patient return to independence so that recovery can continue after hospitalization. Henderson became familiar first with physiological principals while obtaining her graduate education. The understanding of these components became the major foundation for her care in nursing practice. (McEwen & Wills,
Virginia Henderson helped nursing by providing a broad definition of what nursing is and giving a base for all nurses to build upon with other theories that will shape their nursing career. We learned through Henderson that nursing comes down to helping the patient. It is up to the nurse to assist and guide the patient to good health and independence. It is also important that we use other theories we agree with to gain even more knowledge about nursing and its