Critique of Her Theory

This presents an analysis and evaluation of Henderson 's nursing theory using Fawcett`s framework of analysis and evaluation of conceptual models of nursin g (2000). Henderson came up with a definition of nursing because of the observed differences in how nursing is defined, both by society and the nurses themselves. She felt it was necessary for nurses to have at least a guiding principle of what to them is nursing and act accordingly to that principle. Moreover, during that time, nurses functions were not identified programs for skills training and even education varied from school to school, to countries and even in hospitals . There were also legal barriers to how nurses should carry out their duties, which made the profession’s position in healthcare ambiguous an d misunderstood. The conceptual model of nursing developed by Henderson followed the humanistic approach, in which it emphasized the caring of the sick, the incapable and even the dying. It stressed more on what the nurses should do and who should they take care of and thus belongs to the reciprocal interaction world view category. The functions of nurses were to give intimate care to people who cannot function effectively on their own .It also emphasized that nurses be thought the skills and knowledge that would enable them to help their patients. The model also stressed that as soon as the patients are  able nurses should be able to assist them in their recovery and if not to care for them in regaining their dignity and basic functioning.The person as defined in Henderson’s model is all encompassing it applies to the sick, the well and the dying. It may be old, young, newborn, and children, normal, abnormal, male, and female, of different races and cultures and religion. For Henderson, the person is alive, breathing,
needs to be loved and cared for, to be talked to and listened to.The environment of the person is described as limiting and keeps him /her from living.

Usefulness

• Nursing education has been deeply affected by Henderson’s clear vision of the functions of nurses.
• The principles of Henderson’s theory were published in the major nursing textbooks used from the 1930s through the 1960s, and the principles embodied by the 14 activities are still important in evaluating nursing care in thee21st centaury.
• Others concepts that Henderson (1966) proposed have been used in nursing education from the 1930s until the present O'Malley, 1996)

Testability

• Henderson supported nursing research, but believed that it should be clinical research (O’Malley, 1996). Much of the research before her time had been on educational processes and on the profession of nursing itself, rather than on; the practice and outcomes of nursing , and she worked to change that.
• Each of the 14 activities can be the basis for research. Although the statements are not.
• Written in testable terms, they may be reformulated into researchable questions. Further, the theory can guide re search in any aspect of the ind ividual’s care needs.

Limitations

• Lack of conceptual linkage between physiological and other human characteristics.
• No concept of the holistic nature of human being.
• If the assumption is made that the 14 components prioritized, the relationship among the components is unclear.
• Lacks inter-relate of factors and the influence of nursing care.
• Assisting the individual in the dying process she contends that the nurse helps, but there is little explanation of what the nurse does.“Peaceful death” is curious and significant nursing role 
 

 References:
Journal of advanced nursing ( 7,103-109)
Henderson,V-Nursing Process 1987
Henderson,V The nature of Nursing,1991
Hhenderson,V basic principle of nursing 1997.