Virginia Henderson
Best known to nurses for the complementary model , Virginia Henderson has made an invaluable contribution to the development of the theory and practice of nursing.
Born in 1897, on November 30, the fifth of eight children of the respectable Henderson family, she was named Virginia. In honor of her mother's homeland - the state of Virginia, and, as it became obvious later, as the personification of a symbol of innocence and endless love for one's neighbor.
In the same state of Virginia, in 1921, our heroine received her first medical education at the Army Nursing School in Norfolk, where the main US naval base is located. In her active care of the sick, Virginia Henderson felt with all her heart how important the help of a nurse was.
Virginia understood very clearly that for a person who has survived an injury, an operation or an illness, the main thing is the opportunity to continue his life, satisfying all needs. And in such a way as to remain a whole person, a part of society. And the nurse becomes an assistant in this.
The nurse is the legs of the legless, the eyes of the blind, the support of the child, the source of knowledge and confidence for the young mother, the mouth of those who are too weak or self-absorbed to speak.
“The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or healthy, in the implementation of such activities that contribute to the preservation or restoration of health, which he could provide for himself if he had the necessary strength, will and knowledge for this”
From 1924 to 1929 Virginia Henderson taught nursing at the Norfolk Protestant Hospital. Based on personal experience in caring for patients and research, Virginia generously shared her experience with nurses. In 1929, W. Henderson was one of the inspirers of the inclusion in the nurses' training program in the care of psychiatric patients.
Since 1953, she has already been a researcher at Yale University, at the School of Nursing.
In 1932, Virginia Henderson graduated from the College of Education at Columbia University. There, since 1934, she has been teaching in the field of nursing as an adjunct professor.
In 1939, the first edition of her book Principles and Practice of Nursing was published.
In its final form, Henderson's theory appeared in 1955.
In 1966, the research work "Fundamentals of Nursing" was published.
The activities of Virginia Henderson are marked by numerous awards, recognitions, honorary doctorates from several US universities.
Throughout her life, Virginia Henderson was the kindest and most sympathetic person, an elegant lady, a wise mentor. Her departure in 1996, March 19, was bright and pure, like the whole life path. After finishing tea with chocolate treats and ice cream, saying goodbye to family and friends, at the age of 99, she quietly passed from one world to another.
