The nursing process (Fig. 1.1) is used to identify, prevent, and treat actual or potential health problems and promote wellness. It provides a framework in which to practice nursing.Think of it as a continuous, circular process that revolves around your patient. You begin with assessment, collect data, cluster the data, and then formulate nursing diagnoses. Once you have identified
the nursing diagnosis, you will develop a plan of care, determine the goals and expected outcomes, implement your plan, and then evaluate it.Then you will begin the nursing process again.