Comparison of Jean Watson’s Caring Theory and the Virginia Henderson Theory

Nursing theories are organized bodies of knowledge to define what nursing is, what nurses do, and why they do it. They provide a way to define nursing as a unique discipline that is separate from other disciplines (e.g., medicine). In 1955, Virginia Henderson conceptualized the nurse`s role as assisting sick or healthy individuals to gain independence in meeting fundamental needs. In 1979, Jean Watson developed the philosophy of caring, highlighted humanistic aspects of nursing as they intertwine with scientific knowledge and nursing practice. Jean contends that caring regenerates life energies and potentiates our capabilities. Henderson and Watson did agree on the fact that nursing was more than just physical needs. Both believed nursing is about taking care of the physical needs of every patient.