What are the five stages of the nursing process?

The nursing process consists of a systematic approach that guides nurses in providing care to patients. The five stages are:

1. Assessment: This is the first step, where the nurse collects comprehensive data pertinent to the patient's health or situation. It involves gathering both subjective and objective information.

2. Diagnosis: Following assessment, nurses analyze the data collected to identify the patient’s health problems. This leads to the formulation of nursing diagnoses, which reflect the patient’s responses to actual or potential health issues.

3. Planning: Once diagnoses are established, the nurse collaborates with the patient and other healthcare providers to set measurable and achievable short- and long-term goals. This stage also includes identifying interventions to achieve those goals.

4. Implementation: During this stage, the nurse executes the planned interventions and activities to achieve the desired outcomes for the patient. This could involve administering medications, providing education, or coordinating care.

5. Evaluation: The final stage involves assessing the patient's responses to the implemented interventions and determining if the goals have been met. If outcomes are not as expected, the nurse may need to reassess the situation and modify the care plan accordingly.

This structured framework ensures that patient care is organized, individualized, and comprehensive