Description of the Nursing Process

 Assessing: systematically collect patient data.

 Diagnosing: identify patient strengths and problems.

 Planning: develop a holistic plan of individualized care.

 Implementing: execute the plan of care.

 Evaluating: evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care

in terms of goal achievement.
Characteristics of the Nursing Process:

Systematic
Dynamic
Interpersonal
Goal oriented
Universally applicable
Problem Solving in the Nursing Process:

Trial-and-error problem solving

Scientific problem solving

Intuitive problem solving

Benefits of Using the Nursing Process:

 Scientifically based, holistic, individualized care

 Opportunity to work collaboratively with other nurses

 Continuity of patient care

 Satisfaction of making a difference in the lives of the

patients and the opportunity to grow professionally
 Defining the Four Blended Skills:

 Cognitive skills: Nurses think about the nature of things to

make sense of their world and to grasp conceptually what is
necessary to achieve valued goals.

 Technical skills: Nurses manipulate equipment skillfully to

achieve desired goal.

 Interpersonal skills: Nurses establish caring relationships with

patients.

 Ethical/Legal skills: Nurses establish a professional moral

code and professional role responsibilities.
Developing the Method of Critical Thinking:
 Purpose of thinking:
Identify the purpose or goal of your thinking.
 Adequacy of knowledge:
Is you knowledge accurate, complete and relevant?
 Potential problems:
Learn to “flag” and remedy pitfalls to sound reasoning.
 Helpful resources:
Recognize limits and seek help in remedying deficiencies.
 Critique of judgment/decision:
Identify alternative judgements, weigh the merits
of each, and reach a conclusion.
Developing the Attitudes and
Dispositions to Thinking Critically:

 Thinking independently

 Being fair minded

 Being intellectually humble

 Being intellectually courageous

 Demonstrating good faith and integrity

Developing the Attitudes and Dispositions
to Thinking Critically (con’t)

 Being curious and persevering

 Being disciplined

 Being creative

 Demonstrating confidence
Developing Technical Skills:

 Practice the necessary skill until you feel confident in it.

 Take time to familiarize yourself with new equipment

before using it.

 Identify and seek assistance from nurses who are

technical experts.

 Never be ashamed to ask for help.

Developing Interpersonal Skills:

 Promoting the dignity and respect of patients

as people

 Centralizing the caring relationship

 Experiencing the mutual enrichment of both

participants in the nurse-patient relationship
Developing Ethical/Legal Skills:

 Developing accountability

 Reporting incompetent, unethical,

or illegal practices

 Whistle blowing