Relationship of steps of nursing process

Each step of the nursing process is essential to the problem solving technique and is closely interrelated with the other four steps. During assessment, the nurse collects data about the client from a variety of sources. This information is used for problem identification so that planning and implementation are appropriate to the client’s needs; it is also the basis for accurate evaluation.

Nursing diagnosis involves formulating diagnostic statements that identify the client’s health-related problems. The accuracy of these statements depends on the thoroughness of the assessment, including data collection, sorting and clustering, and validation. The identified nursing diagnoses form the framework for the nursing care plan. Nursing diagnoses thus provide the nurse with an individualized client-centered focus.

During the planning step of the process, a care plan is formulated. It is individualized based on the assessment and nursing diagnoses. The care plan contains client goals with expected client outcomes and appropriate nursing interventions. Expected outcomes are the criteria used to evaluate the effectiveness of care.

Implementation is the action step of the nursing process. During this step, individualized client care is delivered according to the care plan. Interventions are continually modified as deemed necessary by an ongoing nursing assessment of the client’s responses.

The last step of the process is evaluation. The nurse determines the client’s progress toward meeting expected outcomes and achieving goals and the success of the nursing interventions. This step provides for revision of the nursing care plan as necessary to resolve the client’s health problems.

The entire process is sequential and interrelated; each step depends on the previous one. The sequence is logical in that client information is gathered before determining the client’s health care needs. Nursing care is provided according to the plan, and nursing care is evaluated in terms of achievement of expected outcomes. It is dynamic in that any step may be reviewed and revised during evaluation. It is dynamic flexibility that allows the nurse to respond to changing client needs.

Theoretical Comparison

The focus of nursing process is problem identification and resolution. Problem solving and the scientific method are theoretical approaches used to identify and resolve problems in nursing and other professions. The nursing process shares several characteristics with the problem-solving and scientific methods. The components of both can be correlated with each step of nursing process.

Benefits

When the nursing process is used to organize and deliver nursing care, the client becomes an active participant in an individualized health care process. Through the planning phase, the care plan communicates to the health care team the client’s specific problems, the prescribed interventions, and the expected outcomes of care. The client receives comprehensive and consistent care. The evaluation of successful achievement of expected outcomes and quality improvement studies document the quality of care promoted by the use of the nursing process. The nursing process also assists in cost containment because nursing care is based on client needs.

The nurse benefits from the structured approach, with economy of time and energies, enhanced professional growth, a sense of profession, and increased job satisfaction. The profession of nursing is advanced through nursing’s unique role in overall client care. The nursing process provides the means by which nurses increase their autonomy and fulfill their professional and legal responsibilities. Complete and accurate documentation of each step demonstrates professional competence, responsibility, and accountability in meeting client health care needs.