Introduction to The Nursing Process
The Nursing Process is the interrelated problem-solving approach used to identify and treat patient problems. This approach allows the nurse to be assertive and integrate several critical thinking elements in order to make judgments and perform actions based on rationalization. It is a dynamic and continuous process and allows the nurse to modify care as the patient's needs change (Potter & Perry, 2005). The process has been described as a "variation of scientific reasoning that allows nurses to organize and systematize nursing practice" (p. 279). The nursing process contains 5 phases: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.
The nursing process is seen as a competency, allowing the nurse to systematically gather client data, critically examine and analyze the data, identify the client's response to a health problem, determine priorities, establish goals and expected outcomes of care, take appropriate action, and then evaluate whether the action was effective (Potter & Perry, 2005). The process combines general and specific critical thinking competencies, focusing on a client's particular need(s). The nursing process format is unique to nursing; it provides a common language and process for nurses to mentally walk through clients' clinical problems (Potter & Perry, 2005).
The nursing process is seen as a competency, allowing the nurse to systematically gather client data, critically examine and analyze the data, identify the client's response to a health problem, determine priorities, establish goals and expected outcomes of care, take appropriate action, and then evaluate whether the action was effective (Potter & Perry, 2005). The process combines general and specific critical thinking competencies, focusing on a client's particular need(s). The nursing process format is unique to nursing; it provides a common language and process for nurses to mentally walk through clients' clinical problems (Potter & Perry, 2005).
Learning Outcomes for this module:
- Describe the five phases of the nursing process.
- Discuss the relationship of the nursing process to critical thinking.
- Discuss the purpose of nursing assessment.
- Explain the relationship of critical thinking to assessment.
- Discuss the steps that constitute nursing assessment.
- Differentiate between objective and subjective data.
- State the sources of data for a nursing assessment.
- Differentiate between a nursing diagnosis and a medical diagnosis.
- Discuss the relationship of critical thinking to the nursing diagnostic process.
- List and Discuss the steps of the nursing diagnostic process.
- Differentiate between the process of making a nursing diagnosis and a nursing diagnosis as a form of diagnostic nomenclature.
- Describe the process of writing and selecting patient outcomes.
- Formulate nursing diagnoses from a nursing assessment.
- Explain the relationship of planning to assessment and nursing diagnosis.
- Discuss the process of priority setting.
- Describe goal setting.
- Discuss the difference between a goal and an expected outcome.
- List the seven guidelines for writing an outcome statement.
- Discuss the process of selecting nursing interventions.
- Discuss the differences between nurse-initiated, physician-initiated, and collaborative interventions.
- Describe the purposes of a written nursing care plan
- Develop a care plan from a nursing assessment.
- Explain the relationship of implementation to the diagnostic process.
- Discuss the differences between protocols and standing orders.
- Describe the association between critical thinking and selecting nursing interventions.
- Identify preparatory activities the nurse uses before implementation.
- Explain when it may become necessary to revise a plan of care before implementation is performed.
- Discuss the relationship between the three implementation skills.
- Describe both direct and indirect implementation methods. Select appropriate implementation methods for an an assigned client.
- Discuss the relationship between critical thinking and evaluation.
- Identify the five elements of the evaluation process.
- Explain the relationship between goals of care, expected outcomes, and evaluative measures when evaluation nursing care.
- Give examples of evaluation measures used to determine a client's progress toward outcomes.
- Evaluate a set of nursing actions selected for a client.
- Describe how evaluation leads to discontinuation, revision, or modification of a plan of care.
Assigned Readings
Read Chapter 1 in Lewis, Heitkemper, & Dirksen (2004) and Chapters 14-19 in Potter & Perry (2005). It is necessary to read these chapters prior to class and complete the activities assigned in this module. Please complete assignments and turn in at their appropriate due dates.
Assignment 1: Assessment ActivityDue September 3, 2012
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If you have any questions please feel free to make an appointment to discuss your concerns or follow up with me after class.
Thank you!
Professor V
Thank you!
Professor V