The first part of the NP is the assessment; it is an ongoing process helping to identify patient needs, once these needs are established they can be incorporated in to the planning implementation and evaluations stages.(Kozier et al 2008). To give the patient the best possible care the nurse must always have a specific aim in mind, considering how it applies to the individual patient ensuring that the patient is being cared for as a whole based on their individual needs. The assessment should be carried out soon after admission within 24 hours if possible.