Free Nursing Templates/Free SOAP Note Template

Free SOAP Note Template

This blank SOAP note template helps you organize patient information into Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan sections.

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SOAP Note Template

Subjective • Objective • Assessment • Plan

SSubjective
OObjective
AAssessment
PPlan
SSubjective
  • Chief complaint / reason for visit
  • History of present illness / current symptoms
  • Symptoms and symptom characteristics
  • Onset / duration
  • Pain / aggravating or relieving factors
  • Relevant history and pertinent negatives
  • Patient concerns
OObjective
  • Vital signs
  • Physical assessment / observable findings
  • Observations
  • Relevant diagnostic / laboratory findings
  • Measurements
  • Other objective data
AAssessment
  • Nursing diagnosis / clinical impression
  • Problem status
  • Supporting findings from S and O
  • Patient response to treatment
  • Risk factors
  • Notes
PPlan
  • Interventions / monitoring / reassessment
  • Treatments or medications as ordered
  • Patient education
  • Monitoring and reassessment
  • Referrals / tests
  • Follow-up
Patient information

Name

Date of birth

Age

Date

Time

Provider / instructor

Vital signs
Temp°F / °C
HRbpm
RR/min
BPmmHg
SpO₂%
Pain/10
Follow-up

Additional notes

How to Use This SOAP Note Template

Each section of a SOAP note has a different purpose. Keep patient-reported information separate from observable findings, then use those findings to support your assessment and plan.

S
Subjective
What the patient tells you

Record the patient’s symptoms, concerns, pain, relevant history, and other information reported by the patient.

Example“My throat has hurt for two days. Pain is 6/10 when swallowing.”
O
Objective
What you observe or measure

Record measurable and observable findings such as vital signs, physical assessment findings, and relevant test results.

Example“Temp 38.1°C (100.6°F); tonsils erythematous with mild swelling.”
A
Assessment
What the findings indicate

Connect the relevant subjective and objective findings to the nursing problem, clinical impression, or assessment required by your assignment.

Example“Acute throat pain associated with pharyngeal inflammation.”
P
Plan
What happens next

Document appropriate interventions, monitoring, patient education, treatments as ordered, and follow-up.

Example“Monitor temperature and symptoms; encourage oral fluids as tolerated; reinforce follow-up instructions.”
A clinician writing patient notes at a desk
Why it matters

Good notes are how care gets handed over.

A clear SOAP note tells the next nurse what the patient reported, what you observed, what it means and what happens next — without them having to ask.

Before You Finish Your SOAP Note

  • Keep patient-reported information in Subjective.
  • Keep observable and measurable information in Objective.
  • Make sure your Assessment is supported by S and O.
  • Make sure your Plan responds to the problem identified in the Assessment.
  • Be specific and concise rather than adding information simply to make the note longer.
Always follow your instructor’s or clinical site’s required SOAP format. Requirements may vary between programs and settings.