Introduction:

The OPT model (Outcome Present State Test) raises the importance of reorienting the teaching and learning of the nursing process when thinking about it in broader, panoramic and reflective terms; it facilitates the development of clinical reasoning skills, which is a breakthrough for teaching and practice in making clinical decisions that integrate NANDA, NIC and NOC. The new guidelines structured from the OPT model, overcome the linear, fractional and instrumental vision of the five stages of the nursing process.

Objective:

To compare two nursing process application models (generation 2 and generation 3), in the elaboration of care plans by students of the nursing program of a higher education institution of Bucaramanga (Colombia).

Methodology:

Cross-sectional study. With participation of 33 students from the fifth level of UIS nursing program UIS. Variables were defined and the instruments to evaluate and compare the application of the nursing process of the second and third generations were designed.

Results:

Preference for the third generation model was identified as a guide for addressing clinical cases; however, it is important to note that the students did not find significant differences in aspects of theoretical articulation, nor in the application of NIC and NOC languages. Students find significant differences in the use of OPT model in aspects related to clinical reasoning, case essence determination, diagnostic support and in the nursing diagnosis identification.

Conclusions:

Expanding the teaching of the OPT model in all courses of the nursing program UIS, will facilitate a greater understanding of the student’s thinking processes and a greater ability to adapt experiences to meet individual learning needs; it will also strengthen the curriculum and therefore the teaching practices.