A nursing care plan is a document for nursing activities designed to resolve nursing problems, to provide individualized nursing care to patients and their families. This plan, an integral part of the nursing process, involves prioritizing nursing problems identified through assessment, establishing goals, target timeframes, outlining nursing activities necessary to achieve those goals, and detailing the implementation plan. Formulating a nursing care plan involves considering the identified nursing problem from various angles, including urgency, patient and family preferences, and pain levels, to determine the order of priority.

The goals established in the plan should be achievable, mutually agreed upon by patients and nursing staff, and defined in concrete and measurable terms. Nursing activities are selected based on evidence, appropriateness, and patient acceptance, typically organized into three categories: (1) observation plan, (2) care plan, and (3) guidance/education plan. Since a patient’s condition is constantly changing, the nursing care plan must be regularly evaluated and revised as needed.

As part of the nursing record, the nursing care plan is shared among nursing staff, the nursing care plan acts as a guideline for nursing practice. This ensures the provision of continuous and consistent nursing care, promoting effective collaboration and communication among the healthcare team.

• Carpenito-Moyet, L. J. (2007). Carpenito introduction to nursing process and nursing diagnosis: Creation of concept map and nursing care plan (Fujisaki, I., & Yamase, H., Trans.). Igaku-Shoin.
• Takahashi, T. (Ed.). (2009). Principles of nursing: To foster the essential understanding and creativity of nursing (pp. 165–166). Nankodo.