Nursing Process-Evaluation Essay

The nurse requires an extensive knowledge base in order to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of the goals set forth in a nursing care plan. The knowledge a nurse gains is not solely based on the extent of her or his education. In addition, the experience and ability to recognize changes which require intervention are imperative to the development and expansion of a nurse’s knowledge base. The process by which a nurse is able to demonstrate his or her ability to effectively evaluate a patient is â€Å"generated by observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication as a guide to belief and action† (Alligood, 2010). The nurse’s knowledge is imperative in each step of the nursing process. The nurse must be able to gather information related to the patients physiological, psychological and sociological conditions in order to develop effective nursing diagnosis and the appropriate plan of action to implement for each. The nurse continually evaluates the patient’s condition, revises nursing diagnosis, makes changes to the plan of action, and implements new tasks or interventions as necessary. Alligood noted (as cited in Andrews & Roy, 1999), in the evaluation phase, the nurse judges the effectiveness of the nursing interventions that have been implemented and determines to what degree the mutually agreed upon goals have been achieved†. Reference Alligood, M. R. (2010). Nursing theory: utilization & application . (4th ed., pp. 294-315). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier. â€Å"Evaluation is ongoing and encompasses a repetition of the appraisal process. Emphasis is placed on the identifying perceptions of dissonance with respect to the initial pattern appraisal. The evaluation process is ongoing and fluid as the nurse reflects on his or her intuitive knowing. P298 Manifestations of pain, fear, and tension with family members are appraised. The nurse intuitively evaluates the amount of dissonance that is manifested.p302 Evaluation requires that the analysis and judgment be made to determine whether those behavioral changes stated in the goal statement have, or have not, been achieved by the recipient of nursing care (Andrews & Roy, 1991b). P315