Classification Development Committee

Advancing Assessment-driven, Nursing Diagnosis-centered Classifications

INKA (formerly NANDA® International) supports the development and refinement of assessment-driven, nursing diagnosis-centered classifications as a core part of nursing knowledge development and clinical reasoning.

The Classification Development Committee (CDC) serves as the standing governance body responsible for the review and advancement of proposed new nursing diagnoses, revisions to existing diagnoses, and the ongoing integrity of diagnosis content within the NANDA 360 classification and clinical reasoning framework. In addition, the committee develops new patient outcome statements and goals, as required, for new diagnoses.

Through structured review processes and collaboration with expert task forces, the CDC ensures that nursing diagnoses remain clinically meaningful, evidence-based, and globally relevant for practice, education, research, and informatics.

Diagnosis Submission and Committee Oversight

INKA supports the ongoing development and refinement of its nursing diagnosis classification through a structured submission and review process.

While diagnosis submissions are submitted through the dedicated Diagnosis Submission page, the Classification Development Committee is responsible for overseeing the evidence-based review and evaluation of all proposed new diagnoses and revisions to existing diagnoses.

Diagnosis submission is one of the primary ways nursing scholars and clinicians contribute directly to nursing knowledge development through diagnosis-centered classification work that supports the full nursing process.

To submit a new diagnosis or propose a revision, please visit:

Diagnosis Submission

Committee Responsibilities

The Classification Development Committee formulates and conducts structured review processes for proposed new and revised nursing diagnoses, goals and outcomes. It collaborates with the Research Committee on evidence-based nursing actions.

The duties of the standing committee include, but are not limited to:

Identifying priority areas of focus for diagnosis development and revision
Developing goal and outcome statements for new diagnoses, as needed
Reviewing newly proposed diagnoses, revisions, and proposed deletions
Soliciting and disseminating feedback from subject matter experts
Implementing processes to receive and incorporate important feedback from the membership
Establishing standards for approval, revision requests, or rejection of diagnoses
Presenting approved, revised, rejected, retired, or removed diagnoses to the Board and membership
Assigning accepted diagnoses appropriately within the NANDA 360 taxonomy structure

Through this work, the CDC helps ensure that diagnosis classification content reflects the best available evidence and supports diagnosis-centered clinical reasoning internationally.

Task Forces Supporting Diagnosis Development

In addition to the standing committee, the CDC convenes task forces aligned with strategic plan priorities. These task forces may focus on:

Domain-specific content areas
Review of older diagnoses requiring revision
Priority diagnoses designated for fast-track refinement
Specialized evidence development initiatives

Task forces enable targeted work while maintaining governance oversight through the Committee structure.

Committee Leadership

Director: Dr. Camila Takáo Lopes
diagnosis@nanda.org

Strategic Plan Responsibilities

Enhancing Nursing Knowledge Development

Developing detailed plans for diagnosis revision priorities
Identifying diagnoses requiring urgent refinement or level of evidence updates
Requesting appropriate financial and operational resources from the Board
Supporting fast-track diagnosis development efforts with expert contributors and structured support
Developing goal and outcome statements for current nursing diagnoses

Promoting Dissemination of Nursing Knowledge

The CDC collaborates with INKA leadership to support educational offerings such as:

Basic and advanced clinical courses (online)
Faculty education initiatives (online or blended)
Diagnosis development and refinement training
Webinars, online courses, presentations at conferences and for educational organizations

Procedure to Appeal a Diagnosis Review Decision

INKA maintains a transparent and evidence-based process for contributors who wish to appeal a CDC decision.

If a new or revised diagnosis submission is returned to the submitter(s) for revision or judged not to meet criteria, the submitter(s) may appeal the decision.

If the CDC chooses not to accept a diagnosis, the submitter(s) will receive a detailed rationale. One or more of the following outcomes may apply:

Reject diagnosis (does not meet nursing diagnosis definition or evidence criteria)
Return for substantial revision (major content changes required)
Insufficient or outdated literature support (lack of current research or over-reliance on textbooks)
Return with editorial changes (revision requested in response to CDC feedback)

Board-Level Appeal Review

If an appeal is submitted:

The appeal is presented to the full Board of Directors along with the CDC rationale
The CDC Chair and members may not vote on the Board’s decision
Within 30 days, the CDC reviews Board feedback and submits a second decision to the submitter(s)

A Board decision to modify or reject the CDC recommendation must be evidence-based and supported at the same level of evidence as, or higher than, the evidence presented by the submitter(s) and/or the CDC.

Suggested Next Step

Interested in Contributing to Nursing Classification Development?

INKA welcomes expressions of interest from members who would like to contribute to the work of the Classification Development Committee.

To be considered, please email the Director of CDC at diagnosis@nanda.org with a brief statement of interest and a current CV. Participation is based on the needs and priorities of the Committee and alignment with your experience and expertise.

We encourage nurses and researchers committed to advancing nursing knowledge to connect with us.

To learn more about diagnosis-centered nursing knowledge development, explore:

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