Running Head: NURSING NEED THEORY IN 1
PRACTICE
Nursing Need Theory in Practice
University of Texas at Arlington
NURS 5327
, NURSING NEED THEORY IN 2
PRACTICE
Nursing Need Theory in Practice
Virginia Henderson’s Nursing Need Theory (NNT) can easily be related to
almost every aspect of nursing practice. The NNT aims to help patients regain their
independence and physical abilities faster and holistically. The NNT is based on 14
areas, developed by Henderson, that need to be addressed in nursing activities in order
for a patient to be fully independent (Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015). As we address those
areas with our patients we can enable them to gain independence and overall increased
health and satisfaction. By increasing the use of the NNT in practice we can gain a better
understanding of our patients needs to further their recovery.
Nursing Need Theory Operationally Defined in Practice
Virginia Henderson defined the Nursing Need Theory as: "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"(Henderson, 1991).
With that definition in mind we know that as we are serving our patients our ultimate
goal should be for the patient to regain independence and our actions should reflect that.
As we care for them we need to be constantly empowering our patients, in all aspects.
The 14 areas of care that the NNT highlights are holistic and support the physical,
emotional, and spiritual aspects of care (McEwen & Wills, 2019). The NNT has an
operational definition that uses the nurse to care for the patient as they regain their
independence.
Nursing Need Theory Theoretically Used in Future Practice
PRACTICE
Nursing Need Theory in Practice
University of Texas at Arlington
NURS 5327
, NURSING NEED THEORY IN 2
PRACTICE
Nursing Need Theory in Practice
Virginia Henderson’s Nursing Need Theory (NNT) can easily be related to
almost every aspect of nursing practice. The NNT aims to help patients regain their
independence and physical abilities faster and holistically. The NNT is based on 14
areas, developed by Henderson, that need to be addressed in nursing activities in order
for a patient to be fully independent (Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015). As we address those
areas with our patients we can enable them to gain independence and overall increased
health and satisfaction. By increasing the use of the NNT in practice we can gain a better
understanding of our patients needs to further their recovery.
Nursing Need Theory Operationally Defined in Practice
Virginia Henderson defined the Nursing Need Theory as: "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"(Henderson, 1991).
With that definition in mind we know that as we are serving our patients our ultimate
goal should be for the patient to regain independence and our actions should reflect that.
As we care for them we need to be constantly empowering our patients, in all aspects.
The 14 areas of care that the NNT highlights are holistic and support the physical,
emotional, and spiritual aspects of care (McEwen & Wills, 2019). The NNT has an
operational definition that uses the nurse to care for the patient as they regain their
independence.
Nursing Need Theory Theoretically Used in Future Practice
