Clinically useful and measurable patient outcomes that are sensitive to nursing interventions are needed to determine the effectiveness of nursing care. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) researchers are evaluating the reliability, validity, and usefulness of the first 190 published outcomes in 10 sites representing the continuum of care. Preliminary analysis of inter-rater reliability and construct or criterion validity of 15 outcomes are described. Results indicate NOC outcomes can be used to accurately document the effectiveness of nursing interventions.