Importance Nightingale And Florence Nightingale's Nursing Theory

Nursing Theory Nursing theories can be useful in helping nurses understand what we need to know and how to develop nursing in the future. There are many nursing theorists, one being Florence Nightingale, who developed an environmental theory and Virginia Henderson who developed a need theory. Nursing theories are an accumulation of knowledge and facts gained from empirical investigations that try to describe and explain what nursing means.

Types of Nursing Theories

A theory is a set of concepts, relationships, or assumptions that can guide nursing practice. Theories provide structure for research to study situations and predict possible outcomes. Theories in nursing usually revolve around the concepts of the person, environment, health,

Henderson’s theory was to help each person obtain independence so each person could contribute to their own health or recovery. Nurses serve the patient and care for them until they are able to care for themselves. Henderson’s nursing theory is based on fourteen components of human need. Some of those needs are physiological, such as the need to eat and drink regular, breathe normally, eliminate body waste, move and maintain posture, sleep, keep body temperature within normal range, maintain clean and well-groomed body, and to dress appropriately. The spiritual component is to worship according to one’s faith. Also, one should voice their emotions, needs and fears to others. Examples of social components are working for accomplishments, playing for recreation, learning and discovering new ideas to foster normal health and

Environment could aid the individual in learning various ways to achieve independence and maintain the fourteen components independently. Good health is based on a person’s ability to maintain the fourteen components independently. Health can be affected by a person’s cultural background, age, physical abilities, emotional needs, and intellectual abilities. Nurses should promote health by teaching ways to prevent and cure disease.

In my practice as a nurse, I assist people with the physiological components to help patients with their diet and the ability to eat and drink or assist them when they are not able to feed themselves. I reposition patients every two hours when they are not able to do so to prevent a breakdown in the skin. I try to provide a safe and quiet environment for them to sleep, rest, and relax. I ensure that my patients are clean and adequately dressed. Patients are allowed to express their needs, fears, and emotions to ensure a healthy environment.