NANDA-I Terminology: An International Language for Nurses
Nurses across the globe use NANDA-I terminology (nursing diagnoses) to communicate with each other and professionals from other health disciplines about “what” nurses are focused on and phenomenon that nurses are directing interventions toward. A frequent nursing diagnosis, for example, is the risk for pressure ulcer (00249) diagnosis used for an individual with relevant diagnostic indicators (risk factors) identified on assessment. The NANDA-I terminology provides a shared language for nurses to address health problems, risk states and readiness for health promotion.
NANDA-I terminology assists nurses involved in scholarship to communicate about phenomena of concern in manuscripts and at conferences in a standardized way, thus advancing the science of nursing. Over the past 5 years, for example, the following NANDA-I diagnoses have been well researched by nurses: risk for falls (00155), ineffective health management (00078), breathing diagnoses such as ineffective breathing pattern (00032), and spiritual diagnoses such as readiness for enhanced spiritual well-being (00068).
NANDA-I has a global reach to nurses through its website, published materials, conferences and network groups. Below are three specific examples of NANDA-I’s world-wide scope.
- The NANDA-I Board has international representation.
- The well-known text, Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions and Classification, is published in nearly 20 languages (e.g., Malaysian, Russian, Chinese, Spanish)
- The new NANDA-I online course is available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish languages. A Japanese language version is in development. For course info, go to: https://bostoncollege-cson.catalog.instructure.com/browse/cson/courses/introduction-to-nursing-diagnosis
Think about the many nurses across the world using NANDA-I nursing diagnosis in healthcare settings, classrooms, research offices, and administrative suites to communicate about nursing’s important work. This thought makes me smile! 😊
By: Susan Gallagher-Lepak, Education and Clinical Innovation Director, NANDA International