Registered Nurse: Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write SOAP Notes

Updated January 2026

SOAP notes are essential for effective patient care and documentation in nursing. This guide provides detailed instructions for each section of a SOAP note, helping you understand the structure and content required for thorough documentation in the nursing context. By mastering SOAP notes, you can enhance patient care, ensure effective communication among healthcare providers, and maintain accurate medical records.

For specific examples, see our list of 10 Common Registered Nurse SOAP Note Examples.

Subjective Section (S)

In a nursing SOAP note, the Subjective section (S) captures the patient’s self-reported information about their condition and symptoms. This section provides context for the nurse to understand the patient’s perspective and experiences. Here are the specific things that should go into the Subjective section of a nursing SOAP note:

Subjective Section (S) Components

1. Chief Complaint:

   • The primary reason the patient is seeking care.
   • Example: "I have been experiencing severe headaches for the past three days."

2. History of Present Illness:

   • Details about the onset, duration, and progression of the current condition.
   • Example: "The headaches started suddenly and are constant, with a throbbing sensation."

3. Pain Description:

   • Location, intensity, quality, and duration of the pain.
   • Pain scale rating (e.g., 0-10 scale).
   • Example: "The patient reports a throbbing headache rated as 8/10."

4. Associated Symptoms:

   • Any other symptoms the patient is experiencing in conjunction with the chief complaint.
   • Example: "The patient also reports nausea and sensitivity to light."

5. Medical History:

   • Relevant past medical conditions, surgeries, or hospitalizations.
   • Example: "The patient has a history of migraines and hypertension."

6. Medications:

   • Current medications the patient is taking, including dosage and frequency.
   • Example: "The patient is currently taking amlodipine 5mg daily for hypertension."

7. Allergies:

   • Any known allergies to medications, foods, or other substances.
   • Example: "The patient is allergic to penicillin."

8. Social History:

   • Relevant social factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and occupation.
   • Example: "The patient is a non-smoker and drinks alcohol occasionally."

9. Family History:

   • Relevant family medical history.
   • Example: "The patient’s mother also has a history of migraines."

10. Patient Goals:

    • The patient’s goals and expectations from the care they are receiving.
    • Example: "The patient hopes to find relief from the headaches and return to work."

Tips:

• Use the patient’s own words when possible.
• Be thorough in capturing all relevant information.
• Ask open-ended questions to gather comprehensive details.

Example of a Subjective Section for Registered Nurse

Objective Section (O)

In a nursing SOAP note, the Objective section (O) captures measurable, observable, and factual data obtained during the patient’s examination. This section provides concrete evidence of the patient’s condition and progress. Here are the specific things that should go into the Objective section of a nursing SOAP note:

Objective Section (O) Components

1. Vital Signs:

   • Record the patient’s vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature.
   • Example: "BP 140/90, HR 80, RR 18, Temp 98.4°F"

2. Physical Examination Findings:

   • Document the results of your physical examination, including inspection, palpation, and auscultation.
   • Example: "No visible signs of distress. Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light."

3. Neurological Assessment:

   • Assess and document the patient’s neurological status.
   • Example: "Cranial nerves II-XII intact. No focal neurological deficits."

4. Pain Assessment:

   • Document the patient’s pain level and any observable signs of pain.
   • Example: "Patient appears uncomfortable, holding head and squinting."

5. Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests:

   • Include results of any lab tests or diagnostic imaging relevant to the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "CT scan of the head shows no acute abnormalities."

6. Other Observations:

   • Any other relevant observations made during the examination.
   • Example: "Patient appears well-nourished and hydrated."

Tips:

• Be precise and factual in your documentation.
• Include only measurable and observable data.
• Use standardized scales and measurements where applicable.

Example of an Objective Section for Registered Nurse

Assessment Section (A)

In a nursing SOAP note, the Assessment section (A) synthesizes the information gathered in the Subjective and Objective sections to provide a clinical judgment about the patient’s condition. This section includes the nurse's professional interpretation, diagnosis, and the patient’s progress and response to treatment. Here are the specific things that should go into the Assessment section of a nursing SOAP note:

Assessment Section (A) Components

1. Nursing Diagnosis:

   • Provide a nursing diagnosis based on the subjective and objective findings.
   • Example: "Acute pain related to migraine headaches."

2. Clinical Impression:

   • Include your clinical interpretation of the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "The patient’s symptoms are consistent with a migraine headache."

3. Patient Progress:

   • Comment on the patient’s progress since the last visit, if applicable.
   • Example: "The patient reports no improvement in headache severity since the last visit."

4. Prognosis:

   • Provide an outlook on the patient’s recovery based on their condition and response to treatment.
   • Example: "With appropriate treatment, the patient is expected to experience relief from headaches within 24-48 hours."

5. Goals:

   • Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the patient’s care.
   • Example: "Short-term goal: Reduce headache pain to 4/10 within 24 hours. Long-term goal: Prevent recurrence of severe headaches."

Tips:

• Be clear and concise in your clinical judgment.
• Use evidence-based reasoning to support your diagnosis and clinical impression.
• Set realistic and measurable goals for the patient.

Example of an Assessment Section for Registered Nurse

Plan Section (P)

Plan Section (P) Components

1. Interventions:

   • Specific nursing interventions that will be implemented to address the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "Administer prescribed migraine medication."

2. Medications:

   • Detailed description of the medications prescribed, including dosage and frequency.
   • Example: "Administer sumatriptan 50mg orally as needed for headache."

3. Patient Education:

   • Information and instructions provided to the patient to help them manage their condition and prevent further issues.
   • Example: "Educate the patient on migraine triggers and lifestyle modifications."

4. Monitoring:

   • Plan for monitoring the patient’s condition and response to treatment.
   • Example: "Monitor the patient’s pain level and vital signs every 4 hours."

5. Follow-Up:

   • The plan for subsequent visits, including the frequency and duration of follow-up appointments.
   • Example: "Schedule follow-up appointment in one week to assess progress."

Tips:

• Be specific and detailed in your plan to ensure clarity and adherence.
• Tailor the plan to the individual needs and goals of the patient.
• Ensure that the patient understands their role in the treatment plan, especially for self-care and medication adherence.

Example of a Plan Section for Registered Nurse

This detailed information in the Plan section ensures that the patient receives a comprehensive and personalized care strategy, and helps track progress and outcomes effectively.

AI-Assisted Documentation for Registered Nurses

As of 2025, 66% of healthcare providers use AI tools in their practice. AI scribes and ambient clinical intelligence can significantly reduce documentation burden for registered nurses while capturing comprehensive patient assessments and care activities.

How AI Can Help with Nursing Documentation

• Ambient listening: AI captures patient interactions and automatically structures nursing notes
• Assessment capture: Comprehensive documentation of nursing assessments and observations
• Shift documentation: Streamlines end-of-shift notes and handoff reports
• Efficiency: Reduces documentation time by up to 50-75%

Nursing-Specific AI Considerations

What AI captures well:

• Patient-reported symptoms and concerns
• Nursing interventions and patient responses
• Patient education discussions
• Care coordination and handoff information
• Medication administration discussions

What requires careful review:

• Vital signs (verify exact numbers and times)
• Medication names, doses, routes, and times
• Assessment findings (verify accuracy against your clinical judgment)
• Pain scales and symptom ratings
• Intake and output values
• Fall risk and other safety assessments

Tips for Using AI with Nursing Documentation

1. Speak vital signs clearly: "Blood pressure one thirty-two over eighty-four at fourteen hundred hours"
2. Verbalize medications precisely: "Administered metoprolol twenty-five milligrams by mouth"
3. Dictate assessments explicitly: "Lung sounds clear bilaterally, no adventitious sounds"
4. Document patient responses: "Patient tolerated ambulation well, no dizziness or shortness of breath"
5. Review all entries before signing AI-generated nursing notes

For more details, see our complete AI-Assisted Documentation Guide.

Telehealth Nursing Documentation

Telehealth nursing has expanded significantly, particularly for care coordination, chronic disease management, and triage. Per CMS 2026 guidelines and HIPAA telehealth requirements, specific documentation requirements apply.

Appropriate Telehealth Uses in Nursing

Telehealth visits are appropriate for:

• Telephone triage and symptom assessment
• Chronic disease management follow-up
• Post-discharge follow-up calls
• Medication teaching and adherence support
• Care coordination and case management
• Remote patient monitoring review
• Patient education and health coaching

Telehealth-Specific Nursing Documentation

For telehealth nursing encounters, document:

1. Contact Details:

   • Type of contact (video, telephone)
   • Platform used for video (must be HIPAA-compliant)
   • Patient location and verification of identity
   • Consent for telehealth services

2. Modified Assessment:

   • Patient-reported vital signs (and source/device)
   • Visual observations (if video)
   • Limitations of remote assessment

3. Nursing Judgment:

   • Clinical reasoning for recommendations
   • Escalation criteria communicated to patient

Example Telehealth Nursing Documentation

For complete telehealth documentation guidance, see our Telehealth SOAP Notes Guide.

Free Registered Nurse SOAP Note Template

Improve your nursing documentation with our comprehensive registered nurse SOAP note template. This template includes all essential elements for patient assessments, shift notes, and care planning.

More Template Resources

• Free SOAP Note Templates - Download templates for all specialties
• Registered Nurse Examples - See more nursing documentation examples
• SOAP Note Template Hub - Browse all available templates