NURSING PROCESS

Nursing Process and Scientific Method

Nursing Process and Scientific Method

“Nursing Process” is a scientific technique which is employed for decision making. It is important for nurses to make efficient decisions in their job. It provides a rational and methodical approach for the nurse to address issues and make efficient decision so the treatment is effective and appropriate. Although the nursing process is a rational, scientific method, it is performed in a thoughtful way, really making nursing an art and a science. (Hood 2003, 238)

The stages in the process are;

Assessment

Nursing diagnosis

Planning nursing care

Implementing the plan

Evaluating the plan

The patient's condition often changes, causing the usual requirement to re-evaluate, reconsider, and modify the actions in the patient's care plan as acquired by the nursing process. So, the above steps are not as linear as they may appear but are both circular in the process and integrated.

[figure A: The Nursing Process is Integrated and Circular]

Assessment

Assessment is gaining a holistic outlook of a patient. The assessment step includes data collection. The data collected is pertinent to planning and implementing client care. The primary source of data is the client, and secondary sources of data collection are the client's family members, other health personnel, and the client's medical records. The collected data are validated with other sources for accuracy and completeness. (Delaune 2002, 96)

Nursing Diagnosis

As the data is collected, the nurse uses critical thinking to decide the pertinence and relevance of the data. Nurse impartially examines the gathered data to see what it reveals about the client. The nurse uses critical thinking and decision-making processes to develop the nursing diagnosis. Asking questions during this process are important because a valid appropriate, priority nursing diagnosis cannot be identified without considering all available data.

Planning Nursing Care

In planning, the nurse notes patient's objectives or goals which deal with client requirements and help patients to get to the best health rank. These goals decide the outcomes of the nursing care and are appraised for an amount of obtainment in the evaluation part of the nursing process. (Hood 2003, 244)

Implementing the Plan

Implementing the plan is the nurse's completion of interventions to assist the client to an optimum health state or a quality end of life. Nursing actions support the client in reaching finest health objectives. Nursing actions need communication, teaching, collaboration with various health personnel, and nursing skills. (Hood & Leddy, 2003, p. 248)

Evaluating the Plan

The nursing interventions are the ...