Delegation In Nursing

In response to the issues of care delivery, budget restrictions, the continuous advancement of medical technologies and an aging citizenry – health care systems over the years have increasingly used a variety of unlicensed personnel such as Nursing Assistants and Student Nurses to work in patient care areas, with a licensed registered nurses (RN) supervising and directing these less skilled workforces. The registered nurses are relied on to make independent decisions regarding the delegation of nursing tasks. (McInnis & Parson, 2009)
Often time’s patients may find it difficult to differentiate between the registered nurse and the nursing assistant or student nurse. In response Jackie Smith, Nursing and Midwifery Council claimed, “We need to see whether the code of conduct puts patients’ first and makes clear that nurses should delegate
Also considering the five rights of delegation: the right task, right circumstance, right person, right direction or communication and right supervision (McInnis & Parson, 2009). And being mindful of the registered nurse, and student nurse and or nursing assistance’s specific responsibilities within the delegation process (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2015).

Effective task delegating optimizes the registered nurses’ time for activities that cannot be delegated. Research shows that the ability to delegate effectively improves satisfaction relative to nurse decision-making on the job and affords promotional opportunities within the organization.
Quallich concluded that effective delegation improved nurse’s job satisfaction, reduced burnout, enhanced time management, and clarified accountability.
A study by Curtis and Nicholl confirmed that effective nurse delegation provides personal and professional advancement in the organization. (McInnis &