Nursing diagnosis--a language of nursing; a language for powerful communication

Nurses are required by practice standards to be competent diagnosticians. We must be able to complete the diagnostic process and utilize the diagnostic language. Nursing diagnosis, a language developed by nurses, specifies the independent domain of our professional practice: the identification of clients' responses to actual or potential health problems, or life processes. The language describes our students' and families' health issues and specifies that the focus of nursing is holistic and different from that of other professional providers. Nursing diagnosis facilitates efficient and effective communication with nurses and non-nurses.