Nursing Theory: The Basis for Professional Nursing

Virginia Henderson's principles are discernible in her interpretation of nurses' roles in humanity. She posits that nurses are uniquely positioned to render assistance to anyone regardless of the individual's health status in the fulfillment of activities that contribute to health or its recovery or at least, afford the individual comfort at his/her final hours. That is, the activities that the individual would have performed for self-had he/she the ability. Henderson in essence, succinctly provided a remarkable definition for nursing (Black, 2014).
The principles that Virginia Henderson laid down for nurses underlined their role in providing essentials of daily life for the individual that are in line with nursing care, hence, nurses became the necessary resources for the overall wellbeing of the patient, Usually in terms of comfort. Nurses according to Henderson must see themselves as the next best alternatives to the patient, which entails service to the patient's needs or outright partnership with the patient in provision of his/her basic need (Henderson, 1968).
Henderson proposed that the basic needs of the patient must include competency in normal breathing, be able to eat and drink sufficiently, Eliminate body waste, move and position self comfortably, have restful sleep, dress adequately and be able to undress, regulate body temperature by adjusting clothing and changing the environment, maintain proper hygiene and groom self as well as protection for the skin, keep out of dangers while not injuring others, proper communication with others and convey emotions, needs, fears, or opinions, worship in line with one's faith, work in satisfying manners, participate in recreational activities, learn, discover, or satisfy the cur...

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...eals in nursing. For instance, Nursing was defined base on its characteristics as a particular purpose and that purpose is to promote wholesome living in addition to healing, growth, and development, as well as prevention of diseases, illness, injury, and paralysis (Clark, 2003).

Works Cited

Black, B. P. (2014). Professional Nursing: Concepts & Challenges. Elsevier.
Clark, D. J. (2003). Defining Nursing. Royal Nursing College.
Frankel, A. (2008). Applying theory to practice through clinical supervision. nursingtimes.net.
Halloran, E. (1995). A Virginia Henderson Reader: Excellence in Nursing. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
Halloran, E. (1996). Viginia Henderson and her timeless writings . Journal of Advanced Nursing, 17.
Henderson, V. (1968). The principles of Nursing Care.
Henderson, V. (1978). The Concept of Nursing. Blackwell Scientific Publications.