Student nurses' perceived use of NANDA-I nursing diagnoses in the community setting.

PURPOSE: Study explored knowledge and perception of student nurses on the use of NANDA-I nursing diagnoses in the community setting. METHODS: Study adopted cross-sectional design. Convenient sampling method was used to select 290 nursing students. Data analysis was by descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: A majority (81.3%) of the participants considered NANDA-I nursing diagnoses to be useful in the community. Significant association existed in the perception and level of education of the students (χ(2) = 8.257, d.f. = 1, p= .04). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and perception of the participants about the use of NANDA-I nursing diagnoses in the community is satisfactory. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Use of NANDA-I nursing diagnoses should be encouraged among community health nurses.