According to the National Library of Medicine, Ida Jean Orlando first initiated this nursing care process in 1958 due to a lack of knowledge in nurses to implement the care process. 

If you are a new grad nurse, you probably would be wondering how to prepare a nursing care plan? Don't worry; we've got you. But first, you need to understand what a nursing care plan is?

A nursing care plan is the second step in the nursing process. A care plan outlines the nursing care to be provided to a patient. It is individualized to each patient. The care plan identifies actual and potential problems, lists goals and outcomes of care, and includes specific interventions to achieve those outcomes.

The purpose of a nursing care plan is to identify needs, establish goals, and document the process of providing nursing care.

Nurses are essential in the provision of healthcare. They play various roles in ensuring that patients receive quality care.

One of the most critical tasks of nurses is to develop nursing care plans. A well-developed nursing care plan ensures that all aspects of a patient's care are accounted for. 

This blog post will outline the steps you need to create an effective nursing care plan.

What Is A Nursing Care Plan?

A nursing care plan (NCP) is a written plan of action that is individualized and designed by the nurse to meet the patient's medical needs. The nursing care plan is based on the patient's health status and history. It is based on the nursing diagnosis, which is determined by assessing and observing the patient.

Steps To Develop A Nursing Care Plan

Preparing NCP is crucial; follow the below-mentioned steps to prepare a nursing care plan successfully.

1. Identify Client Problems

Identifying the problem is the first step to developing a care plan. The process starts with data collection. You can collect data about the client using various methods like observation, interview, or review of medical records.

If you need to know more about how your patient responds to day-to-day living, observation can help you determine their strengths and weaknesses. An interview will allow you to obtain information from your patient directly about the health concerns that affect them.

Medical records give you insight into what has happened in the past or what is currently happening with your patient.

2. Identify and List Nursing Diagnosis

Abraham Maslow in 1943 developed a hierarchy of needs to compensate for the innate lack of each individual. The famous hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology that explains the needs of a human and it's usually depicted as an ordered list with five levels.

A nursing diagnosis should encompass these hierarchy needs to prioritize the plan care for a patient. Nursing diagnoses are developed using the NANDA nursing care plan example, which stands for North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International.

A nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment about a specific problem or condition that a patient is experiencing. It is a statement about the problem that you can use to guide nursing care. Nurses use nursing diagnoses to develop individualized care plans for their patients.

There are many different types of nursing diagnoses. Some of the most common ones include:

• Acute pain
• Activity intolerance
• Anxiety
• Impaired skin integrity
• Impaired urinary elimination
• Risk for infection

You must first determine the illness and learn about its risk factors, signs, and symptoms and then move forward to the goals of care.

3. Data Analysis

After reviewing all data relevant to the patient's condition, the nurse analyzes it in this section. 

The analysis involves finding patterns and making connections between subjective and objective data to form conclusions about a patient's health condition. 

For example, a nurse might learn that a patient has hypertension based on their blood pressure readings.

4. Determine The Goals of Care

After identifying the client's problems, the next step is to determine the care goals. The objectives of care are the desired outcomes that you want to achieve for your patient.

According to Hamilton and Price (2013), They should be SMART, that is, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Some examples of goals of care include:

• The patient will report a decrease in pain level from an 8 out of 10 to a 4 out of 10 within one week.
• The patient will ambulate 50 feet without assistance within two days.
• The patient will verbalize an understanding of their disease process and medications within one week.

5. Nursing Interventions

Nursing interventions are the actions that nurses take to help treat patient conditions. 

Nursing diagnosis and nursing interventions go hand-in-hand in a nursing care plan: a nursing diagnosis is made based on data collected during the nursing assessment, which helps the nurse determine what goals they should set for the patient. 

The nursing interventions are then designed to help meet those goals. Nursing interventions are what nurses do to help patients--whether it's building their strength, alleviating their pain, or providing counseling and education.

Common nursing interventions include:

• Pain management.
• Administering medications and treatments.
• Patient education.
• Recording vital signs and other information about a patient's condition.
• Coordinating care with other healthcare providers like physicians or assistants.
• Facilitating group activities with other healthcare providers and patients.

6. Evaluate The Patient's Progress

Once you have developed the plan, you can evaluate how well your care is working and whether your initial goals are realistic.

When reviewing your plan:

• Re-evaluate your goals to see if they are still realistic. Are there other specialty nurses in the hospital who can help with care? Is there someone else who can help meet a patient's needs? Do specific tasks need to be adjusted? What other support is available?

• Review your progress to see if you are on track. If issues arise, consider adding new steps or modifying existing ones to fit the patient's changing needs.

Evaluating a nursing care plan takes honest self-reflection about what is working and what isn't. Don't be too hard on yourself if you haven't achieved all of your goals yet—caregiving and meeting patients' needs might take time and  definitely needs patience from both healthcare professionals and patients!

Different Types Of Care Plans

Nursing care plans are written documents that outline the nursing care provided to a patient. They serve as a guide for nurses and can also be used as a tool to help assess and track the patient's progress. There are several different types of nursing care plans, each of which is designed for a specific purpose. The most common include:

1) Medical Care Plan - This type of care plan lays out a patient's specific medical needs and outlines the steps that need to be taken to ensure the patient receives the best possible medical care.

2) Nursing Home Care Plan - This type of care plan helps to ensure that a nursing home resident receives appropriate and timely medical treatment tailored to their needs and health status.

3) Home Health Care Plan - A home health care plan is designed to help chronically ill or disabled people live as comfortably as possible in their own homes. 

4) Hospice Care Plan - A hospice care program is intended for persons dying of a terminal illness and requires attention to their emotional and spiritual needs.

5) Rehabilitation Care Plan - A rehabilitation care plan is designed for patients injured or recovering from surgery.

6) Palliative Care Plan - A palliative care plan is designed to relieve the symptoms of a severe illness, even if the underlying cause cannot be cured.

Take Away Points!

Now we are going to summarize the key points discussed during our time together.

• It would be best to individualize your nursing care plan for your patient.
• A suitable care plan starts with a thorough assessment and analysis.
• Ensure that your goals are SMART and easily measurable.
• Find out what is essential to the patient and use this information to set consistent expectations and outcomes.
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals when setting goals or determining an intervention.

Still on the fence? Review the book Nursing Care Plans: Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes for better nursing care plans examples.

To Summarize - How To Create A Nursing Care Plan

Now you probably know how to prepare a nursing care plan. There are a variety of nursing care plans that you can put into place to meet the needs of patients. It is vital for nurses to have a strong understanding of how to create and implement these plans in order to provide the best possible care for their patients.

In this article, we've provided some tips on how to prepare a nursing care plan so that nurses can be sure they are providing the best possible care for their patients.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between a nursing diagnosis and a medical diagnosis?

A nursing diagnosis is a problem that nurses can address, while a medical diagnosis is a problem that a physician must address. 

Nursing diagnoses are often more specific than medical diagnoses, and they focus on the patient's response to the problem rather than the problem itself. 

Medical diagnoses are usually more general, focusing on the underlying cause of the problem.

2. What is the purpose of a nursing care plan?

A nursing care plan aims to provide a framework for delivering nursing care. It helps nurses organize and prioritize care and communicate their goals to other members of the healthcare team. 

A care plan also provides a record of the care that has been provided and can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the care.

3. What is the care planning cycle?

The care planning cycle is a process that helps to ensure that patients receive high-quality, individualized care. The cycle begins with an assessment of the patient's needs and goals. Based on this assessment, a care plan is developed. 

The care plan is then implemented, and the patient's progress is monitored. Finally, the care plan is evaluated to ensure that it still meets the patient's needs. The care planning cycle is vital for ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

4. What is the rationale in the nursing care plan?

The rationale in a nursing care plan is the explanation of why a particular intervention or treatment was chosen. It includes a detailed description of the patient's condition, the goals of care, and the reasoning behind the selected interventions.

5. Are nursing care plans still relevant?

Within the context of institutional settings, for example, in acute care hospitals and long-term residential care facilities, nursing care plans are essential.

They allow a means of planning and documenting nursing diagnoses, goals/objectives, interventions/treatment plans, monitoring parameters (vital signs, eating habits), assessment data (weighing).

However, care plans may not be as relevant within community health nursing. This is because community health nurses often work with clients who have chronic health problems and are more likely to have a team of health care professionals working with them. 

In this case, the community health nurse may be more focused on providing education and support to the client and their caregivers rather than writing a detailed care plan.

That said, all nurses should be familiar with the process of creating a care plan as it is a valuable tool for organizing thoughts and developing a plan of action.

6. How often should nursing care plans be updated?

There is no universal answer to this question, as the frequency with which nursing care plans should be updated depends on several factors. These include the individual needs of the patient, the severity of their condition, and any changes in their condition or treatment regimen.

However, it is advisable to update nursing care plans at least every week. This ensures that all care team members are aware of any changes in the patient's condition or treatment plan and can make necessary adjustments.

And while nursing may seem like a 24-hour profession, nurses are people too! They need time for rest and relaxation in order to give their best at work.

As a nurse, you must know that the self-care of nurses is vital and it's also recommended by the American Nurses Association in its code of ethics. 

But with everything else on your plate, it can be tough to find the time or energy to really take care of yourself.

According to the survey report of 2012, Out of 2,500 registered nurses, 71 percent were suffering from musculoskeletal pain, and 18 percent experienced depression. A few causes were found behind this result, and one of them was a lack of self-care. This actually demonstrates how a lack of self-care of nurses can lead to self-destruction, and it will definitely affect professional life.

That's why we've put together this list of life-changing self-care strategies specifically for nurses.

From taking mini-breaks throughout the day to investing in a good pair of shoes, these tips will help you take better care of yourself both physically and mentally. So read on, and start improving your self-care routine today!

But before we jump into self-care strategies, let's first learn about what exactly is self-care and why is it important.

What is Self-care? Why Self care is important for nurses?

According to the World Health Organization, "self-care is the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease and maintain health and well-being without depending on health care services."

In other words, self-care is anything you do to maintain your physical, mental, and emotional health. And while some self-care activities may seem like common sense (eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep), others may be less obvious (scheduling time for yourself, setting boundaries with patients and colleagues, taking breaks during your shift).

Nurses are often responsible for the well-being of others, but they often neglect their own needs. This can lead to nurses feeling burned-out, stressed, and overwhelmed.

Self-care is important for nurses because it allows them to take a break from their responsibilities and relax. It also allows nurses to recharge their batteries so that they can be more effective in their jobs.

Life-Changing Self Care Strategies For Nurses

If you're looking for some self-care inspiration, check out these 11 life-changing self-care strategies for nurses:

Set aside time for yourself every day

Set aside time for yourself, even if it's just 10 or 15 minutes. During that time, do something that relaxes you and makes you happy. Whether it's reading, taking a walk, listening to music, or taking a bath, make sure to take some time for yourself every day.

Connect with the nature

Nurses who connect with nature often report feeling more relaxed and at ease. Nature can provide a sense of peace and tranquility, and it can also help to clear the mind. Spending time in nature can also boost your mood and reduce stress levels.

If you're looking for a way to connect with nature, consider going for a walk in the park, taking a hike in the woods, or visiting a botanical garden.

Nurture a hobby or passion

Nurses are constantly under stress. One way to manage that stress is to nurture a hobby or passion. This can help to take our minds off of work and allow us to relax. Some nurses use their hobbies to relieve stress, while others use them to stay energized and focused.

Find something that you enjoy doing and make time for it every day. Whether it's painting, hiking, cooking, or playing music, make sure that you're taking time to do what you love. No matter what your hobby is, it is important that you find time to enjoy it.

Spend time with loved ones

One of the best self-care strategies that nurses can use is to spend time with loved ones. This can help reduce stress and promote healing. 

Exercise

Exercise is not only good for your physical health, but it can also do wonders for your mental and emotional wellbeing. Taking some time to move your body and get your heart rate up can help reduce stress, improve your mood, and give you more energy.

Eat healthy foods

It is crucial for nurses to eat healthy foods in order to take care of themselves. Eating nutritious foods helps boost energy levels, promote better mental health, and improve overall physical health. Nurses who are eating unhealthy foods are more likely to experience fatigue, depression, and health problems.

Some great options for healthy foods include fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats.

Self-care is important for nurses in order to maintain their own health and well-being. Eating healthy foods is one important aspect of self-care that nurses should not neglect.

Hydrate adequately

Nurses are responsible for their own well-being as well as the well-being of their patients. This means that nurses need to make sure they are taking care of themselves in order to be able to take care of others. One way to do this is by making sure you have hydrated adequately.

Dehydration can cause a number of problems, including fatigue, headaches, and other health issues. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and consider carrying a water bottle with you so that you can stay hydrated while on the go.

Get enough sleep

Nurses need to get enough sleep in order to be effective and alert on the job. Fatigue can lead to mistakes, which can potentially jeopardize patient safety. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults should get at least seven hours of sleep per night.

Nurses who are short on sleep are more likely to make errors and experience health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is the awareness that arises through paying attention to purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment.

When nurses are mindful, they are more able to take care of themselves both physically and emotionally. In fact, mindfulness has been shown to be an effective way of reducing stress and improving one’s overall well-being.

There are many ways to practice mindfulness, but one simple way is to focus on your breath. Simply sit or stand in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Then, simply pay attention to your breathing. Notice the sensations of the air moving in and out of your nose and mouth.

Don’t try to control your breathing, just let it happen naturally. If your mind starts to wander, simply bring your attention back to your breath. You can do this for a few minutes or for longer periods of time if you like.

Laugh often

Laughing is a great way to reduce stress and promote positive emotions. It's also good for your health! Laughing can help improve your immune system, increase oxygen levels, and release endorphins.

So, try to find things that make you laugh often! Watch funny movies, read funny books, or spend time with friends who make you laugh. Laughter is the best medicine!

Don’t be ashamed of seeking help

I know we nurses are notorious for being self-reliant and for not wanting to ask for help. However, it is important for all of us to realize that we cannot take care of others if we are not taking care of ourselves.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, it is ok to ask for help. There are many resources available to nurses, including support groups and counselors. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help when you need it. Talking to someone who can help you manage your stress and mental health can make a world of difference.

What Are Some Barriers To Self-Care For Nurses?

Some barriers to self-care for nurses include time constraints, emotional exhaustion, and guilt. nurses may feel that they do not have time to take care of themselves or that they are too busy taking care of others to focus on their own health.

They may also feel guilty about taking time for themselves when there are patients who need their care.

How No Self-Care Can Affect Professional Life?

When as a nurse you're not taking care of yourself emotionally and physically, you're more likely to be tired, stressed, and anxious. And that can lead to decreased productivity, inadequate patient care, and difficulty focusing.

In addition, when you're not feeling your best it's harder to make good decisions or maintain healthy relationships.

So not taking care of yourself can have a ripple effect on your professional nursing life in terms of your emotional state, your work performance, and your interactions with patients and others.

Summary- Self-Care Strategies For Nurses

Don’t forget, nurses are human beings too! We all need to take care of ourselves in order to be effective in our jobs. Self-care is not selfish, it is essential. So, make sure you are taking care of yourself both physically and emotionally.

By incorporating some or all of these self-care strategies into your life, you'll be on your way to a more balanced, happier, and healthier nursing career.

So follow these tips and if you think you need help, we are just a message away!

FAQs

Why is self-awareness important in nursing?

There are many reasons why self-awareness is important in nursing, but here are a few key points:

First and foremost, self-awareness allows nurses to have a clear understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses, which in turn allows them to be more effective clinicians. 

Secondly, self-awareness helps nurses to be more effective communicators, both with patients and with other members of the health care team. 

Finally, self-awareness fosters empathy and compassion, which are essential qualities for nurses working in the field of patient care.

How can I improve myself as a nurse?

The best way to improve oneself as a nurse is to always be learning. Whether that means taking on new challenges at work, reading nursing journals, or attending continuing education courses, nurses should never stop growing and developing their skills. 

Additionally, mentoring other nurses and sharing one's own knowledge can help create a stronger nursing community overall. Finally, it is important to advocate for oneself and for the profession of nursing—both inside and outside of the workplace.

What is the therapeutic use of self in nursing?

Therapeutic use of self in nursing is the intentional and professional use of one's self (including one's thoughts, words, and actions) to promote health and healing. It is based on the premise that nurses can create therapeutic relationships with their patients that can facilitate health and healing.

How do nurses maintain a high self-awareness?

Nurses maintain a high self-awareness by constantly reflecting on their own actions and words, and considering how they might affect patients. They also seek feedback from colleagues and patients to ensure that they are meeting the highest standards of care.

What is basic self-care?

Basic self-care is about tending to your most important needs. Whether it's taking a break, getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, or spending time with loved ones, these are all things that can help you feel good mentally and physically.

Self-care doesn't need to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the best self-care activities are free or very low cost. Just taking a few minutes each day for yourself can make a big difference in your overall well-being. So if you're looking for ways to improve your health and happiness, start with basic self-care practices.

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