Improper Delegation In Nursing

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The American Nursing Association defines delegation as a transfer of responsibility. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has a very similar definition, stating that it is the transfer of authority. These transfers take place between the RN and another person who has been authorized and educated to perform certain tasks. One important aspect of the delegation process is that though the responsibility and authority is transferred, accountability is not. The RN is still accountable for the outcome. Therefore the RN must provide adequate supervision and oversight to ensure the task was completed accurately and appropriately (American Nurses Association & National Council of State Boards of Nursing, n.d.).
The universal principle that …show more content…
Two of the most common forms of improper delegation are Over Delegation and underdelegation (Kelly, 2010). Underdelegation is a common problem among new nurses. Often times new nurses are uncomfortable delegating tasks to older staff who may have been there longer. New nurses may also feel a strong need to prove that they are capable by trying to complete all duties without receiving help. The new nurse can easily feel overwhelmed with all of these duties. In these cases more mature nurses can assist the new nurse by teaching them how to properly delegate tasks (Kelly, 2010). Overdelagation is another concern. In over delegation the RN is delegating tasks that are not in the staffs scope of practice. This can have a dangerous outcome for the patient. Some nurses fall into this practice because personnel may feel that they do not have the proper experience to perform the task and would prefer to give it to someone else to avoid responsibility(Kelly, 2010). Overall legality, ethical principles, accountability, and most importantly the safety for our patient is all linked to the process of …show more content…
Legally for a nurse improper delegation could lead to severe consequences. An RN can face malpractice lawsuits for negligent delegation. This can lead to disciplinary actions by the licensing boards or by the RN’s employer. Such lawsuits can be avoided by being aware of your state’s nurse practice act. This will outline tasks that are able to be delegated and discusses what is in the scope of practice for UAP. One basic rule to always keep in mind is that tasks that involve assessment, planning, evaluation, and education should not be delegated. These duties are the sole responsibility of the RN. One of the most common lawsuits related to delegation is negligent supervision. It is important to remember that once a task is delegated to a UAP does not mean that you no longer have any responsibility related to that task. It is still the duty of the RN to evaluate the effectiveness and evaluate the outcome of said task. If data reported to an RN by a UAP is not followed up on the nurse could face the consequence of losing their license (Anderson, 2006).
Another important concept for the RN to grasp accountability. The RN must remember that in the end he or she is the one accountable for the outcome of all tasks even those delegated to other personnel. It is the nurses responsibility to ensure all tasks are properly supervised and to evaluate activities that have been delegated (Knox,
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