- Perform a search in a Library journal databases for three current peer reviewed
journals articles discussing the successful application of one nursing theory or model in an
education setting.
[For example Watson’s theory of caring in a magnet facility or Leininger’s theory of
transcultural nursing in a basic nursing education program.]
2.Construct a 500-750 word paper using APA format
o Summarizing the chosen theory or model.
o Describing the role of the educator in disseminating the theoretical foundation to those affected
by the implementation of the theory in one setting.
Virginia Henderson theory of “need”
There are various nursing theories advanced by different professionals. These theories are
aimed enhancing the practice of nursing. This discussion is based on Virginia Henderson’s
‘need’ theory.
Summary of the theory
The theory emphasizes various things that are required to be performed by nurses in
promoting the health of the patient. Nurses are required to increase the independence of the
patient to ensure that the progress of hospitalization is not delayed. Therefore, patients and any
other individual brought in the health center should be provided with assistance to help them
gain independence in relation to performance of activities that aid in the recovery (Halloran
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1996, p. 17). The theory has categorized nursing activities into 14 components that are based on
the needs of human. This needs include ensuring that the patient breathe in a normal way by
eating and drinking adequately, eliminating body waste, maintenance of postures (Halloran
1996, p. 17), getting enough sleep and rest, selection of suitable clothes and undress,
maintenance of body temperature, avoidance of dangerous environment, keeping the body
clean, communicating with others to express emotions, fears and opinions, having the freedom
to worship in ones religion or faith, sense of accomplishment in work, opportunity to play and
participate in various recreation forms, opportunity to learn and to discover and to study
curiosity which is important for the normal development of the person in a health facility
(Vandemark 2006, p. 605). Further more, roles of the nurse are described as substitutive meaning
that they do their roles for the person by helping the patient through working with the patient to
help them become independent. Therefore, nursing according to this theory aims to assist the
sick in performing activities that promote health or recovery or peaceful death. The theory uses
four concepts including individual, environment, health and nursing.
The implementers of this theory are the nurses and other medical practitioners that have
the responsibility of ensuring that patients are well attended to and recover from their ailments.
Therefore, there are various roles that are played by the educator who disseminates this
information to the nurses that implement it. The role of educator is therefore to ensure that
nurses are well trained on the skills of handling patients and people in need of care at the health
facility. The educator, therefore, has to make sure that the nurses are well equipped with requisite
skills and knowledge to enable them diagnosis patients and assess their diseases, be able to
provide correct assistance to help patients recover quickly from their various ailments. Nurses
must be committed to their work to ensure that patients and individuals brought before them
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improve in their health status. The educator should therefore asses the situation using the 14
components; carry out analysis by comparing data to knowledge base of health issues or disease.
Plan by identifying the individual need to meet their own needs without assistance by taking into
account their strengths and knowledge, implement nursing by documenting how to assist solve
the situation (Abrahams 2007, p. 382). After this, then, nursing process is implemented based on
the various issues such as age, cultural background, emotional balance, intellectual and physical
capacities among others. Nursing evaluation should also be done to ensure that all the 14
components are incorporated in the nursing practice.
Reference list
Abrahams, S 2007, ‘ Nursing the community, a look black at the 1984 dialogue between Virginia
A. Henderson and Sherryl L. Shamansky,’ Public Health Nursing, Vol.24 no. 4, pp. 382-
386.
Halloran, E 1996, ‘Virginia Henderson and her timeless writings,’ Journal of Advanced Nursing,
Vol. 23 no. 1, pp. 17-24.
Vandemark, L 2006, ‘Awareness of self & expanding consciousness: using Nursing theories to
prepare nurse –therapists,’ Mental Health Nursing, Vol. 27 no. 6, pp. 605-155.