Application of Virginia Henderson’s Theory of the 14 Needs in the Clinical Training of Nursing Students

Introduction: Virginia Henderson's Theory of 14 Needs is a humanistic framework that guides clinical nursing practice by promoting patient independence through the satisfaction of fundamental needs. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on the application of Henderson's Theory in nursing students, using the ENCH-56 as a measurement tool. Methods: A quasi-experimental, quantitative, longitudinal study was conducted with sixth-semester nursing students at a public university in Ecuador. The ENCH-56 scale was applied before and after a five-session educational intervention. Results: A total of 226 clinical evaluations were performed after the intervention. The overall mean per item ranged from 3.26 to 3.43 (scale 1-4), reflecting high performance with minimal supervision. The needs with the greatest variability were “values and beliefs” and “health education,” while “mobility,” “dressing,” and “ethics” showed greater consistency. Cluster analysis identified three groups of needs according to performance and dispersion. Fifty-seven point fifty-two percent of students perceived an improvement in their competencies after the intervention. Conclusions: The implementation of the Henderson model using the ENCH-56 was effective in strengthening comprehensive clinical assessment. Its systematic inclusion in clinical training is recommended.