Nursing Care Plans - A Full Guide
What are care plans in nursing?
Care plans in nursing are a record of the type and level of specialist nursing care which an individual needs in order to meet their support requirements. A nursing care plan will be created for every resident in a nursing care home, so that the specialist nursing team who is supporting them know exactly how best to care for them, in the context of any long-term or complex medical conditions which they may live with.
A nursing care plan, however, is not a static document. Whilst a nursing care plan is first created when an individual moves into a nursing care home, it is constantly reviewed and refreshed so that it reflects any changes in the support an individual may need. The type and level of nursing care an individual needs could increase or decrease at any given time, and their personalised nursing care plan will reflect this.
Why are nursing care plans important?
Nursing care plans are important as they document the specific, current, nursing care requirements of each resident living in the nursing care home. They include the individual’s nursing care ‘dependency level’, which details the type and level of specialist nursing care required to meet their needs.
The information within the nursing care plan originates from the resident’s care assessment, which will have been carried out before they moved into the nursing care home as a way of understanding the support they need to live well.
As dependency levels can go up and down, nursing care plans are revisited and updated regularly, to ensure that the resident’s health, well-being and nursing care needs can continue to be safely and effectively met within the nursing care home.
What are the benefits of care plans in nursing?
Having a detailed, accurate, up-to-date nursing care plan in place ensures that all those involved with the care of the individual are informed and equipped to provide the best possible support.
The benefits of care plans in nursing homes are widespread, as they ensure:
- The individual receives truly person-centred care which is structured around their current, unique, nursing care needs.
- All those involved in the individual’s care – including the qualified nursing team within the care home, the individual’s GP and any other relevant medical professionals – are able to have a holistic understanding of the individual’s overall health and support needs, rather than each element being managed in isolation. This enables professionals to work together to deliver the best possible care for the resident.
- The individual’s family and friends can have peace of mind, knowing that, should their loved one’s nursing requirements change, their nursing care plan will be updated accordingly, and all those involved in the individual’s care and support will be able to tailor the support they offer.
What are some nursing care plan examples?
Care plans in nursing are bespoke and person-centred, meaning that no two are likely to be exactly the same.
Nursing care plans are set up in order to provide a record of the type and level of support which an individual needs at a particular point in time.
One example of a nursing care plan could be to provide sensitive and dignified palliative care to someone who is sadly nearing the end of their life. Their nursing care plan would perhaps focus on what is needed to manage their pain and keep them as comfortable as possible, whilst also supporting their emotional wellbeing by enabling loved ones to visit, and ensuring they have their treasured possessions close by.
Another nursing care plan example might be for someone who is receiving rehabilitation nursing care, to help them to recover following illness or injury. Their nursing plan might focus on improving their mobility, rebuilding their confidence, and enabling them to become strong enough to return to their own home.
The vast difference between these two nursing care plan examples demonstrates the importance of care plans in nursing as a tool for ensuring the delivery of person-centred nursing care to support individual needs.
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