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

Updated January 2026

SOAP notes are essential for effective patient care and documentation in nurse practitioner practice. 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 nurse practitioner 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 Nurse Practitioner SOAP Note Examples.

Subjective Section (S)

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

Subjective Section (S) Components

1. Chief Complaint:

   • The primary reason the patient is seeking medical attention.
   • Example: "I have been experiencing a persistent cough for the past week."

2. History of Present Illness:

   • Details about the onset, duration, and progression of the current condition.
   • Description of associated symptoms and any factors that alleviate or exacerbate the condition.
   • Example: "The cough started suddenly and is worse at night. It is accompanied by a sore throat and mild fever."

3. Past Medical History:

   • Relevant past medical conditions, surgeries, or hospitalizations.
   • Example: "History of asthma and seasonal allergies."

4. Medications:

   • Current medications the patient is taking, including dosage and frequency.
   • Any recent changes in medication.
   • Example: "Currently taking albuterol inhaler as needed for asthma."

5. Allergies:

   • Document any known allergies, including drug, food, and environmental allergies.
   • Example: "Allergic to penicillin."

6. Family History:

   • Relevant family medical history that may impact the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "Family history of asthma and diabetes."

7. Social History:

   • Information about the patient’s lifestyle, occupation, and habits (e.g., smoking, alcohol use).
   • Example: "Non-smoker, occasional alcohol use, works as a teacher."

8. Review of Systems:

   • A systematic review of other body systems to identify any additional symptoms.
   • Example: "Denies chest pain, shortness of breath, or gastrointestinal symptoms."

Tips:

• Use the patient’s own words when possible.
• Be thorough in gathering information to provide a complete picture of the patient’s condition.
• Ask open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses.

Example of a Subjective Section for Nurse Practitioner

Objective Section (O)

In a nurse practitioner 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 nurse practitioner SOAP note:

Objective Section (O) Components

1. Vital Signs:

   • Record the patient’s vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation.
   • Example: "BP 118/76, HR 80, RR 18, Temp 100.4°F, SpO2 98% on room air."

2. Physical Examination Findings:

   • Document the results of your physical examination, including inspection, palpation, auscultation, and percussion.
   • Example: "Lungs: Bilateral wheezing noted. Throat: Erythema and mild swelling observed."

3. Laboratory and Diagnostic Test Results:

   • Include results of any laboratory tests or diagnostic imaging performed.
   • Example: "Rapid strep test: Negative. Chest X-ray: No acute findings."

4. General Appearance:

   • Describe the patient’s general appearance and demeanor.
   • Example: "The patient appears alert and in mild distress due to coughing."

5. Other Relevant Observations:

   • Any additional observations that are pertinent to the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "No signs of respiratory distress or cyanosis."

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 Nurse Practitioner

Assessment Section (A)

In a nurse practitioner 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 practitioner’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 nurse practitioner SOAP note:

Assessment Section (A) Components

1. Diagnosis:

   • Provide a clinical diagnosis based on the subjective and objective findings.
   • Example: "Acute bronchitis."

2. Differential Diagnosis:

   • List other potential diagnoses that were considered and ruled out.
   • Example: "Differential diagnosis includes asthma exacerbation and upper respiratory infection."

3. Clinical Impression:

   • Include your clinical interpretation of the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "The patient’s symptoms and physical exam findings are consistent with acute bronchitis."

4. Patient Progress:

   • Comment on the patient’s progress since the last visit, if applicable.
   • Example: "This is the patient’s first visit for this condition."

5. Prognosis:

   • Provide an outlook on the patient’s recovery based on their condition and response to treatment.
   • Example: "Good prognosis with appropriate treatment and follow-up."

6. Goals:

   • Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the patient’s treatment.
   • Example: "Short-term goal: Reduce cough and fever within one week. Long-term goal: Complete resolution of symptoms within two weeks."

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 Nurse Practitioner

Plan Section (P)

Plan Section (P) Components

1. Treatment Plan:

   • Specific interventions that will be implemented to address the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "Prescribe an albuterol inhaler for wheezing and a course of antibiotics if bacterial infection is suspected."

2. Medications:

   • Detailed description of any medications prescribed, including dosage, frequency, and duration.
   • Example: "Azithromycin 250mg, take two tablets on the first day, then one tablet daily for the next four days."

3. Patient Education:

   • Information and instructions provided to the patient to help them manage their condition and prevent further complications.
   • Example: "Educate the patient on the importance of hydration and rest. Advise to avoid irritants such as smoke."

4. Follow-Up:

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

5. Referrals:

   • Any referrals to other healthcare professionals or specialists if necessary.
   • Example: "Refer to a pulmonologist if symptoms do not improve or worsen."

6. Lifestyle and Home Care Instructions:

   • Recommendations for lifestyle modifications and home care practices.
   • Example: "Encourage the patient to use a humidifier at home to ease coughing."

Tips:

• Be specific and detailed in your treatment 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 home care and medication adherence.

Example of a Plan Section for Nurse Practitioner

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

AI-Assisted Documentation for Nurse Practitioners

AI scribes and ambient clinical intelligence have become essential tools for nurse practitioners managing high patient volumes. According to AMA research, 66% of healthcare providers now use AI tools, with documentation being the most common application.

How AI Helps NP Documentation

• Real-time documentation: Notes generated during the encounter
• Comprehensive capture: HPI, ROS, and physical exam findings captured from conversation
• Medication reconciliation: Assists with accurate medication documentation
• Efficiency: Reduces documentation time by 50-75%

NP-Specific AI Considerations

What AI captures well:

• Chief complaint and HPI elements
• Review of systems discussions
• Medication changes and patient education
• Follow-up instructions and referrals

What requires careful review:

• Vital signs (verify exact numbers)
• Physical examination findings (confirm accuracy)
• Differential diagnoses
• Medication names, doses, and frequencies
• E-prescribing accuracy

Tips for Using AI with NP Documentation

1. Speak medication details clearly: "Prescribing metformin 500 milligrams twice daily"
2. Verbalize physical exam findings: "Lungs clear to auscultation bilaterally"
3. Dictate assessment explicitly: "Primary diagnosis is acute bronchitis"
4. State E/M complexity factors: Document medical decision-making elements verbally

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

Telehealth Documentation for Nurse Practitioners

Telehealth has become integral to NP practice, particularly for chronic disease management and follow-up care. Per CMS 2026 guidelines, specific documentation requirements apply.

Telehealth-Specific Documentation Requirements

For virtual NP visits, document:

1. Pre-Visit Elements:

   • Platform used (HIPAA-compliant)
   • Patient and provider locations (state)
   • Patient consent for telehealth
   • Identity verification method

2. Modified Physical Examination:

   • Document what was assessed via video
   • Document limitations explicitly
   • Include patient self-reported vital signs and their source

3. Remote Patient Monitoring (if applicable):

   • RPM data reviewed and source
   • Compliance with monitoring
   • Clinical interpretation of data

Example Telehealth NP Documentation

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

Free Nurse Practitioner SOAP Note Template

Streamline your NP documentation with our comprehensive nurse practitioner SOAP note template. This template includes all essential elements for comprehensive evaluations, chronic care management, and acute care visits.

More Template Resources

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