The process of nursing is considered as a scientific method that is utilized by the nurses in order to assure high quality care services provided to patients (American Nurses Association, 2016). The aforementioned approach is divided into five major steps including the role of RN (registered nurses) performed in accordance with it:
During this stage, the RN is provided with the responsibility to collect information and data related to different aspects of a patient including physiology, psychology, sociology, and spirituality.
Diagnosis
At this stage clinical judgment is commenced that is based on the responses attained from the patients regarding their health conditions and needs.
Planning
The information gathered in the light of assessment and diagnosis, the RN is then held responsible for setting measurable and achievable goals.
Implementation
In this step, the nursing care is facilitated to the patient in accordance with the designed care plan. The provided care is then documented for maintaining the record of patients.
Evaluation
The care plan is continuously evaluated for the purpose of effectiveness as well as obtaining information about patient’s progress. In this regard, the care plan can be modified if required.
A number of nurses believed that the clinical pathways have decreased the amount of critical thinking and use of the nursing process to plan for the individual patient care. However, clinical pathways helps in tracking the progress of a patient in a managed care system. The approach works by focusing on the outcomes of patients alongside highlighting important steps of in nursing process. Most importantly, clinical pathway leads to the promotion of critical thinking as well as enhancement of collaborative aspects among different disciplines, facilitation of optimum health outcomes, and saves money (Bradshaw & Lowenstein, 2013).
References
American Nurses Association. (2016, 1 5). The Nursing Process. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/EspeciallyforYou/StudentNurses/Thenursingprocess.aspx
Bradshaw, M., & Lowenstein, A. (2013). Innovative teaching strategies in nursing and related health professions. Hoboken: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
