Home care nurses' inferences and decisions

The types of inferences and decisions made by home health nurses were explored in this study. One hundred patient care records representing 10 home care nurses' primary clients were examined. Two main types of decisions were identified: (1) autonomous with the subcategories of self-directed and consultative and (2) collaborative. Less experienced nurses recorded the most decisions and relied on collaborative decision making more often. Implications include the need for increased autonomy in decision making for home care nurses and the necessity for decision supports for novice nurses.