Final answer:
The nursing process is dynamic, constantly adapting to the changing needs of patients over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic of the nursing process that refers to changes over time in response to patients' individual needs is its dynamic nature. The nursing process is inherently adaptable and is constantly being modified as nurses assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care, responding to the individualized changes in their patients' health statuses. This dynamic adjustment is similar to the biological concept of development, where change through time is organized and controlled in cells, populations, and communities.