A model of clinical judgment processes in psychiatric nursing.

This study addressed judgment processes in psychiatric nursing by analyzing reported use of clinical cues cited as being relevant in the process of making a nursing judgment. Using an exploratory, qualitative approach, data were collected by interviewing 15 subjects who provided 36 in-depth interviews upon completion of an intake interview. Comparative content analysis was used to determine the underlying structure in subject reports. A model depicting judgment processes is presented and discussed. Results suggest that although judgments were highly context-dependent, all subjects assessed data labeled as universals in the psychiatric nursing assessment: suicidality, depression, drug and alcohol use, and patient functional abilities. Similarities among subjects were noted in that presenting behaviors were most salient, a categorization process occurs within the judgment process, and patients are included in the judgment process. Finally, nursing judgments uncovered an action orientation rather than a labeling function.