Collaborating
to Resolve Practice
Problems

Confirming Problems:
Making a Decision

Applying What we Have Learned

Review the situation or problem you are facing at work. The steps in the nursing process may help guide you in your decision-making process.

Step 1 - Assess the situation

  • Collect the facts
  • Compare the facts you collected with those of your colleagues
  • Reassess conflicting information
  • Determine your manager's or agency's understanding of the problem and readiness for intervention

Step 2 - Develop a plan

  • Identify specific problems
  • Working collaboratively with your manager to develop a plan that is specific to each problem, identify outcomes and set realistic time frames for accomplishing the outcomes

Step 3 - Intervention - carry out the plan

  • Carry out the interventions in order of importance
  • Document results of interventions

Step 4 - Evaluate the effectiveness of your intervention

  • Was what actually happened different from what you anticipated?
  • Do you need to revise your plan?