The planning stage of the nursing process is primarily focused on establishing patient-centered goals and interventions. This stage is essential because it translates the information gathered during the assessment into actionable steps that guide nursing care. In planning, healthcare professionals prioritize the patient’s needs and develop specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals tailored to the individual patient.
By involving the patient in this process, nurses ensure that the goals are meaningful and align with the patient's values and preferences, ultimately enhancing adherence to the care plan. Additionally, planning includes identifying appropriate interventions that will help meet those goals, based on clinical guidelines and evidence-based practices.
This crucial phase sets the groundwork for the subsequent implementation and evaluation stages, as it defines what successful outcomes will look like and how the nursing team will support the patient in achieving them.