The Nursing Process is the backbone of clinical practice.
It is a systematic, patient-centered method used by nurses to provide professional care.
Think of it as a roadmap for quality care, it ensures that care is organized, evidence-based, and tailored to each individual’s needs.
What is the Nursing Process?
The Nursing Process is defined as a modified scientific method used by nurses to identify, prevent, and treat actual or potential health problems.
It is a continuous cycle that allows for flexibility; as a patient’s condition changes, the nurse adjusts the plan accordingly.
Purposes of the Nursing Process
- To maintain individualized care
- To maintain consistency of care
- To improve quality
- Enhance efficiency
5 Steps of the Nursing Process (ADPIE)
Most nursing programs use acronym ADPIE to help students remember five sequential steps.
1. Assessment
This is the data-collection phase.
The nurse gathers information about the patient’s physiological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual status.
- Subjective Data: What the patient says (e.g., “I have a sharp pain in my chest”).
- Objective Data: What the nurse observes (e.g., Blood pressure is 150/90, or the patient is grimacing).
2. Diagnosis (Nursing Diagnosis)
Unlike a medical diagnosis (like “Diabetes”), a nursing diagnosis focuses on the patient’s response to the medical condition.
- Format: Usually written as “[Problem] related to [Etiology/Cause] as evidenced by [Signs/Symptoms].”
- Example: Ineffective Airway Clearance related to excessive mucus as evidenced by coughing and wheezing.
3. Planning
During this stage, nurse sets measurable and achievable short- and long-term goals for the patient.
- SMART Goals: Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.
- Example: “The patient will maintain an oxygen saturation of 95% or higher within the next 4 hours.”
4. Implementation
- This is the “action” phase.
- Nurse performs the interventions identified in the planning stage.
- Examples: Administering medication, repositioning a patient to prevent bedsores, or teaching a patient how to use an inhaler.
5. Evaluation
The final step is to determine if goals were met.
- Met: The problem is resolved.
- Partially Met: The plan needs to continue or be slightly modified.
- Not Met: The nurse must reassess the patient and create a new plan.
Lets See Example:
Nursing process for patient with dehydration,
| Step | Action Taken |
| Assessment | Nurse notes dry mucous membranes, poor skin turgor, and patient reports “feeling dizzy.” |
| Diagnosis | Deficient Fluid Volume related to insufficient fluid intake as evidenced by dry mouth and decreased urine output. |
| Planning | Goal: Patient will drink 2,000mL of water over the next 24 hours. |
| Implementation | Nurse provides a water pitcher at the bedside and assists the patient with taking small sips every hour. |
| Evaluation | After 24 hours, the patient consumed 2,100mL of water. Goal met. |
Note: The nursing process is cyclic, not linear. If the evaluation shows the patient is still dehydrated, nurses cycles back to “Assessment” to find out why the plan didn’t work.