Goals of the Nursing Process

• Specific: Clearly define what needs to be assessed, such as the patient’s health status, current symptoms, medical history, and psychosocial factors.
• Measurable: Include quantifiable data, such as vital signs, laboratory results, and patient-reported symptoms.
• Achievable: Ensure that assessments can be realistically performed given the available resources and the patient’s condition.
• Relevant: Align assessments with the patient’s presenting concerns, medical diagnosis, and overall care plan.
• Time-bound: Set a timeline for completing assessments promptly, especially in urgent or critical situations.

• Specific: Identify precise nursing diagnoses based on the assessment data, such as “Impaired Gas Exchange” or “Ineffective Coping.”
• Measurable: Establish criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of nursing interventions related to each diagnosis.
• Achievable: Select diagnoses that can be addressed through nursing interventions and are within the nurse’s scope of practice.
• Relevant: Focus on diagnoses that are pertinent to the patient’s current health issues and contribute to achieving desired outcomes.
• Time-bound: Set a timeframe for reassessing the patient’s condition to determine if the diagnosis remains accurate or requires revision.

• Specific: Clearly outline the nursing interventions needed to address each nursing diagnosis, considering the patient’s unique needs and preferences.
• Measurable: Define clear goals and outcomes for each intervention, allowing for objective evaluation of progress.
• Achievable: Ensure that the planned interventions are feasible given the available resources, time constraints, and the patient’s condition.
• Relevant: Align interventions with the identified nursing diagnoses and the patient’s overall care goals.
• Time-bound: Establish a timeline for implementing interventions and achieving desired outcomes, taking into account the urgency of the patient’s needs.

• Specific: Communicate the planned nursing interventions to the healthcare team and ensure they are carried out accurately and consistently.
• Measurable: Document the implementation of each intervention, including the timing, dosage, and patient response.
• Achievable: Provide adequate resources, support, and training to facilitate the implementation of nursing interventions effectively.
• Relevant: Tailor interventions to the patient’s individual needs, preferences, and cultural background.
• Time-bound: Implement interventions promptly, prioritizing those that address the most urgent patient needs.

• Specific: Assess the effectiveness of nursing interventions in achieving the desired patient outcomes, such as improved health status or enhanced coping abilities.
• Measurable: Use objective criteria to evaluate the extent to which goals and outcomes have been met.
• Achievable: Conduct evaluations using feasible methods, such as direct observation, patient self-report, or clinical measurements.
• Relevant: Focus on outcomes that are meaningful and relevant to the patient’s overall health and well-being.
• Time-bound: Schedule regular evaluations to monitor progress, adjust interventions as needed, and ensure timely achievement of goals.

By adhering to S-M-A-R-T criteria throughout the nursing process, nurses can enhance the quality and effectiveness of patient care, leading to improved health outcomes and satisfaction for patients and their families.