3-1. INTRODUCTION

The M6 practical nurse performs or supervises preventive, therapeutic, and emergency nursing care procedures under the supervision of a physician, nurse, or senior NCO. The recipients of this care include infants, children, adolescents, active duty soldiers, retirees, and civilian emergencies. All have different health care needs, and the practical nurse must be able to provide the nursing care related to those needs. Flexibility is a necessity when expected to provide care to all these categories of patients. Additionally, the

practical nurse must be able to adapt that clinical ability to various settings and situations, including the field environment. The first step in providing health care is to determine the needs of the patient. All the nursing care needs of the patient may be determined and fulfilled by a logical application of four easy steps--assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.