Writing Nursing Care Plan Goals

The nursing care plan goal can be to prevent a potential problem from occurring, to maintain a present status or level of functional ability, or to resolve a currently existing problem. Goals are usually stated in terms of an action the resident will perform. Elements to focus on in writing the goal are that it is: 

Appropriate – for the resident’s needs, strengths, abilities, and cultural background 

Realistic – reasonably attainable 

Measurable – able to be objectively observed and evaluated 

Resident centered – stated in terms of the resident’s actions 

Time framed – gives a target date or time estimate for attainment of the goal 

Individualized – to the resident’s unique deficits, traits, and preferences 

Specific – each problem has a goal specific to it, although each problem may have more than one goal 

Examples: 

Resident will wash face and hands during morning care every day.

Resident will verbalize understanding of the need to comply with diabetic diet. 

Resident will lose one pound per week over the next thirty days.

Read more about how to write nursing care plans in the book Complete Nursing Care Plans for Long Term Care - 143 nursing care plans in the book and on the CD can be made resident specific and converted to I-care plans in one click.