Virginia Henderson’s leadership prowess was exemplified in her instrumental role in advocating for policy changes that revolutionized healthcare delivery. “Henderson, often referred to as the “first lady of nursing,” developed a nursing model based on activities of living” (Nicely & DeLario, 2011). Central to Henderson’s success was her unwavering commitment to patient-centered care. Recognizing the imperative to prioritize the needs of individuals, she ardently campaigned for policies that emphasized holistic patient well-being. Her advocacy transcended the confines of institutional boundaries, resonating deeply with policymakers and stakeholders alike. By framing healthcare through the lens of human dignity and individual autonomy, Henderson catalyzed a paradigm shift in policy discourse. “Henderson described the role of the nurse as one of the following: substitutive, which is doing something for the patient; supplementary, which is helping the patient do something; or complementary, which is working with the patient to do something” (Petiprin, 2023)
Central to Henderson’s success was her unwavering commitment to patient-centered care, as encapsulated in her theory of need (Henderson’s Nursing Theory: The Summary and Application | Healthcare Essay Examples, 2024). Recognizing the imperative to prioritize the fundamental daily activities necessary for life, she ardently campaigned for policies that emphasized holistic patient well-being. By framing healthcare through the lens of meeting these 14 basic needs, Henderson catalyzed a paradigm shift in policy discourse, placing the individual at the forefront of care provision. Per PubMed some of the 14 basic needs consist of breathe normally, eat and drink, eliminate body waste, hygiene/skin, safety, sleep and rest (Lopez et al., 2020). “One Virginia Henderson’s Nursing Need theory example is as follows: when individuals lack food or sleep, their health state might deteriorate substantially. The entire nursing process by Henderson is aimed at restoring the patient’s independence” (Henderson’s Nursing Theory: The Summary and Application | Healthcare Essay Examples, 2024).
However, Henderson encountered formidable obstacles on her path to policy reform. Legal issues and ambiguous nursing activities, which clouded the nursing professions’ position in healthcare presented significant hurdles (Business Bliss Consultants FZE, 2020). Nurses, including Henderson grappled with challenges such as practicing independently and diagnosing and treating patients, all while striving for rightful recognition within the healthcare hierarchy. While the roles of medical providers were often clear-cut in legislative controls, human needs consistently superseded legal barriers.
In conclusion, Virginia Henderson’s transformative leadership in healthcare policy exemplifies the power of visionary advocacy and strategic acumen, intricately intertwined with her theory of need (NursingBird, 2024). Her legacy endures as a testament to the profound impact of nurse leaders in shaping the future of healthcare, rooted in the fundamental principle of meeting patients’ basic needs. Henderson’s enduring legacy serves as a beacon of inspiration, guiding future generations of nurse leaders in their quest for positive change grounded in compassionate care.
Reference
Business Bliss Consultants FZE. (November 2020). Virginia A. Henderson: A Celebrated Nursing Leader. Retrieved from https://nursinganswers.net/essays/virginia-a-henderson-a-celebrated-nursing-leader-nursing-essay.php?vref=1
Lopez, M., Jimenez, J.-M., Fernández-Castro, M., Martin-Gil, B., Garcia, S., Cao, M.-J., Frutos-Martin, M., & Castro, M.-J. (2020). Impact of Nursing Methodology Training Sessions on Completion of the Virginia Henderson Assessment Record. Nursing Reports, 10(2), 106–114. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep10020014
Nicely, B., & DeLario, G. T. (2011). Virginia Henderson’s Principles and Practice of Nursing Applied to Organ Donation after Brain Death. Progress in Transplantation, 21(1), 72–77. https://doi.org/10.1177/152692481102100110
Petiprin, A. (2023). Virginia Henderson – Nursing Theorist. Nursing Theory. https://nursing-theory.org/nursing-theorists/Virginia-Henderson.php
