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.
Interpretation
The nurse's role is to support individuals in achieving health or a peaceful death, fostering their independence along the way.
This quote by Virginia Henderson highlights the essential role of nurses in the healthcare system, emphasizing that their primary function is to assist patients—whether they are sick or well—in performing activities that are vital to maintaining health or recovering from illness. The nurse not only provides care and support but also aims to empower patients to regain their independence as quickly as possible, ensuring that they can perform essential life activities themselves when they have the capability to do so.
In practice
In a speech at a nursing conference to emphasize the importance of nursing care.
The nurse is temporarily the consciousness of the unconscious, the love of life of the suicidal, the leg of the amputee, the eyes of the newly blind, a means of locomotion for the newborn , knowledge and confidence for the young mother, a voice for those too weak to speak, and so on.
Exercise is king. Nutrition is queen. Put them together and you've got a kingdom.
I take drugs just because in the 20th century in a technological age living in the city there are certain drugs you have to take just to keep yourself normal like a caveman. Just to bring yourself up or down, but to attain equilibrium you need to take certain drugs. They don't getcha high even, they just getcha normal.
When I go to my health club, and it's in the basement, you have to take the elevator down. And this drives me crazy. Why can't there be a stairway? At least make it as easy to exercise as it is to not exercise. It's in society's interest for me to take the stairs.
People tend to think of overweight and obesity as strictly a personal matter, but there is much that communities can and should do to address these problems.
I know three people who have got better after a brain tumour. I haven't heard of anyone who's got better from Alzheimer's.
If migraine patients have a common and legitimate second complaint besides their migraines, it is that they have not been listened to by physicians. Looked at, investigated, drugged, charged, but not listened to.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.