A nursing goal is the anticipated outcome of a subject’s response when engaging in nursing activities, providing a clear direction for nursing interventions. It signifies the intended result of nursing actions and guides the course of nursing care.

In a broader context, nursing goals encompass the activities conducted by nurses on behalf of or in collaboration with individuals, reflecting the outcomes of nursing practices. This is discussed within the metaparadigm of “nursing” in conceptual nursing models. The perspectives on nursing goals can vary depending on the specific model being considered, as different models may prioritize distinct phenomena. In a narrower sense, nursing goals are integral to the nursing process, focusing on resolving nursing problems. They describe the optimal state achievable through deliberate nursing interventions by nurses. These goals are presented in an evaluable manner based on the conditions of the individuals receiving nursing care, describing the expected reactions, actions, and overall state. To avoid confusion between the broader and narrower meanings of nursing goals, alternative terms such as “nursing outcomes” or “patient goals” may be used specifically in the context of the nursing process.

Furthermore, nursing activities may involve joint goals shared with patients and collaborative goals set with other healthcare professionals. Establishing joint goals with patients fosters active patient participation in care, contributing to the desired outcome. Collaborative goals with other professions help clarify the roles and responsibilities each profession should fulfill to achieve common objectives.

• Fawcett, J. (2008). Fawcett analysis and evaluation of nursing theory (Ota, K., & Tsutsui, M., Trans.). Igaku-Shoin.
• Matsuki, M. (Ed.). (2007). Introduction to nursing: What is nursing? (4th ed.). Nouvelle Hirokawa.
• Yura, H., & Walsh, M. B. (1986). Nursing process: Nursing process assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation (2nd ed.; Iwai, I., et al., Trans.). Igaku-Shoin.