While the nursing process and NCPs are closely related, they’re not the same.
The nursing process is the overarching framework that guides nursing practice, while NCPs are specific tools used to document and organize client care. Care plans are a product of the nursing process nurses develop during the planning phase.
They serve as a blueprint for implementing and evaluating client care. By following the nursing process, nurses can create comprehensive, individualized, and effective care plans.
For example, during the assessment phase, a nurse may identify that a client is at risk for falls. This finding will lead to a nursing diagnosis of “risk for falls,” which will then inform the development of a care plan focused on fall prevention.
The nurse will implement interventions such as:
Placing the client in a room near the nurses’ station
Providing assistive devices
Educating the client on safety measures
The evaluation phase involves assessing whether these interventions effectively reduced the client’s fall risk.
Check out our free template for writing an effective care plan to guide you in developing your care plans.
The Nursing Process in Different Settings
The nursing process is versatile, and nurses can apply them in various clinical settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community health environments.
However, how a nurse implements the process depends on the setting and the client population.
Hospitals
In hospital settings, nurses often use the nursing process to address acute health issues.
For example, an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse may focus on managing life-threatening conditions—such as respiratory failure or sepsis—using the nursing process to guide their interventions.
Long-term care
In long-term care settings, nurses use the nursing process to manage chronic conditions and promote quality of life.
Nurses may focus on preventing complications, such as pressure ulcers (bedsores) or malnutrition, by using the nursing process to identify risk factors and implement preventive measures.
Community Health
In community health settings, nurses use the nursing process to address public health issues, such as disease prevention and health promotion.
Nurses may use the process to develop and implement community-based interventions, such as vaccination campaigns or health education programs.
