What exactly is a Nursing Care Plan? Nursing care plans are a critical component of the nursing process for organizing high-quality patient care. Nursing care plans, often known as "plans of care," provide guidance to nurses and the interprofessional team. Care plans are frequently referred to as the patient's "roadmap."2 They can be used to organize interventions and prioritize care. Why Do Nursing Care Plans Exist? Some of the advantages of using care plans in nursing practice are listed below. 1. Follows the client from the time of admission till the time of discharge During an interaction, care plans can be utilized to constantly update care goals. This comprises care offered in a variety of settings, such as community, acute, or residential settings. 2. Assists nurses in planning interventions and revising care. Care plans frame interventions, allowing the nurse to assess the outcome of the intervention and perhaps change care based on the outcome of those interventions. 3. Evaluates intervention outcomes The plan of care clearly defines care goals and interventions relevant to those goals. Furthermore, the care plan serves as a road map for determining if the actions offered have addressed the care goals. 4. Nurses' communication and continuity A plan of care is a document that helps nurses provide continuous and consistent care while working toward common goals. 5. Coordinates the efforts of other disciplines Other interdisciplinary team members' input or treatments may be included in the care plan. A care plan conveys priorities among interprofessional team members in order for them to collaborate on common goals. 6. Participate in patient-centered care Whenever possible, the patient should be included in the development of their treatment plan. Nursing care plans are most effective when developed in collaboration with patients and families to account for a patient's preferences, values, culture, and way of life.2 7. Documentation requirements Nurses can use care plans to demonstrate that they provided safe and ethical treatment in compliance with professional regulations. Documentation can be used for a variety of purposes, including communication, quality improvement, research, and legal processes.