Essay On Nurse Delegation

Delegation Is Part of the Nurse Role and Responsibility

Nurses working in a hospital setting or long-term care facility are often supported by licensed and unlicensed personnel. They are a vital part of the team and are of great assistance. Due to nursing shortages, high patient acuity, and the emphasis placed on patient satisfaction, delegation is a skill that is essential in professional nursing practice today. The delegation of suitable tasks to assistive personnel is a cost-effective method to ensure high-quality care and positive patient outcomes.

In todays restructured care delivery model, registered nurses are expected to make assignments and oversee the work of different ranks of employees (Marquis & Huston, 2017). The nurse practice act permits registered nurses to delegate tasks to certified nursing assistants, unlicensed assistive personnel, and licensed practical nurses. Delegation is a process that requires advanced clinical judgement and

First, the nurse must determine if the right task can be delegated safely. Additional factors to take into consideration when delegating include does the staff possess the knowledge and skills to perform the job, does the task fall within the job description and scope of practice of the person to whom it is assigned. Additionally, the facility must not forbid the delegated person in the organizational procedures and policies from performing the duty. Second, the right circumstances must be present. The patient is stable and the outcome foreseeable. Prior to a nurse delegating, careful examination of the patient’s circumstances and needs is based on the nursing process. They are not replacing the nurse but assisting the nurse with the task. Further, the task must be within the individual’s job description and within their scope of practice. If any changes in the patient’s condition occur, the nurse must cancel the delegation and reassess the