1. Continuing Education Presentation 2008
Delegation
Continuing Education Presentation
2008

2. Objectives Define delegation and its component parts.
Discuss the need for delegation.
Discuss the five rights of delegation.
Explain the process of delegation.
Identify a delegation model to select the appropriate delegatee
Identify the legal authority for an RN to delegate.
Identify challenges with delegation.

3. Definitions of Delegation
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (1995)
Transferring to a competent individual the authority to perform a selected nursing task in a selected situation.
American Nurses Association (1996)
Transfer of responsibility for the performance of a task from one individual to another.

4. Definition of Delegation
Achieving performance of care outcomes for which you are accountable and responsible by sharing activities with other individuals who have the appropriate authority to accomplish the work (Yoder-Wise, 2008).

5. Four Components of Delegation
care outcomes - patient care is safely provided
accountable and responsible - both RN and delegatee have an obligation to care for that patient and ensure the task is completed
sharing activities – both the RN and delegatee work together to accomplish care
appropriate authority – the RN selects the appropriate person to delegate the task

6. Need for Delegation Increased acuity of patients
Increased use of Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAPs) and Practical Nurses (PN)
Increased RN responsibilities in the management of the nursing unit/organization
Accelerated pace and changing health care environment.

7. Five Rights of Delegation
Right Task
Right Circumstance
Right Person
Right Communication
Right Supervision

8. Right Task Questions to ask when determining the right task
Is there potential for harm – if there is a great potential for harm if the task is done incorrectly, be careful with delegation
How complex is the task – if the task is very complex, be careful with delegation
What problem-solving is required to carry out the task – if significant problem-solving is require while performing the task, be careful with delegation
What is the predictability of the outcome – if in completing the task there is potential for many different outcomes, be careful with delegation
Patient interaction/ability – if the patient has limited ability to assist or respond to the task, be careful with delegation

9. Right Circumstances
Delegating a task under the right circumstances includes
Considering the condition and acuity of the patient
An awareness of the staff mix – distribution of Practical Nurses(PNs) and Unlicensed Assistive Personnel(UAPs)
Organization documents – the job descriptions, policies, and procedures within the organization will guide to whom and what can be delegated.

10. Right Person
Nurse Practice Act – each state has a nurse practice act that will define and determine what task can be delegated to what level of personnel.
Determines the scope of practice for each position
Issues standards of care that guide practice
Renders official opinions which guide practice
Organization guidelines – each organization has statements that guide practice.
Mission statement
Policies and procedures (determine what can be done and what level of personnel can carry out the task)
Job descriptions – identifies job responsibilities

11. Right Communication
Clear and concise communication is imperative from the RN to the delegatee. This communication should include the :
Task with clear expectations of what is to be done, why it is being done, and when the task should be completed
Correct patient
Information that should be reported back to the nurse and when that information should be given to the nurse
Expected outcome of the task

12. Right Supervision The RN must provide sufficient follow up including:
Checking on the progress of the task
Checking on the outcomes once the task is performed
Obtaining feedback about the completed task from the delegatee
Evaluate the effectiveness of the delegation with the delegatee

13. Right Supervision
Giving feedback to the delegatee is important. To create an environment where feedback is seen as constructive, consider the following.
Timing of the feedback – the RN should give the delegatee feedback as soon as possible after the task is completed
Focus on the behavior/performance of the task
Provide clear feedback addressing the completion of the task
Use assertive “I” statements
Ask for a restatement of the feedback from the delegatee so there is clear understanding of what was said
Provide feedback privately with the delegatee
Ask for feedback from the delegatee to clarify any concerns that person may have as well

14. Five Rights of Delegation
Please go to this web site for further information on the five rights of delegation.

15. Delegator As the delegator, the RN must
Have a view of the big picture in the care of the assigned patients
Select the appropriate activities to delegate
Select the appropriate staff to carry out the activities
Clearly communicate the expectations and required follow up
Follow up periodically while the task is being completed
Evaluate and provide feedback on the effectiveness of the delegation to staff

16. Delegatee The delegatee also has responsibilities including
Accepting the delegated activities as directed by the RN
Give report to RN as requested on the delegated task
Give feedback to delegator on the effectiveness of the delegation process

17. Delegation Model
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing have a decision model to assist the RN to correctly delegate the task to the correct delegatee. Please go to this web site to view this decision model.

18. Legal Authority to Delegation
Legal responsibility for the RN to delegate a task to the PN or UAP is determined by
Nurse Practice Act
Employer’s statements including job descriptions, policies, and procedures
National standards of care
American Nurses Association (ANA)
Other national organizations

19. ANA Standard of Care
According to the ANA Standards of Care, RNs can not delegate the following tasks
Initial nursing assessment and additional assessments that require nursing judgment
Nursing diagnosis related decisions
Decisions about patients outcomes
Approval of plan of care
Tasks that require nursing judgment
Evaluation of nursing care

20. Additional Legal Principles
RN remains legally responsible for delegated activities
RN is accountable for appropriateness of delegated activities and its accurate completion
UAPs can not supervise other UAPs
UAP or PN can not redelegate activities.
UAP can not complete a pain assessment
PN can not complete discharge teaching

21. Challenges with Delegation
Delegatee refuses to accept the delegated task.
Delegator – go rapidly through the 5 rights
Ask the delegatee why the request is being refused
May be due to
Fear – afraid can not complete the task correctly and safely
Told not to do by others – other RNs have told the delegatee never to carry out this task
Lack confidence – the delegatee may be new or lack the confidence to complete the task
Overwhelmed – may be concerned about the workload already assigned

22. Challenges with Delegation
Some additional challenges with delegation include
“I have to do it myself” belief system – the RN feels that because of the responsibility of care, the tasks need to be completed by the RN
Lack of confidence in PN/UAP – the RN may not know the PN or UAP and therefore is not comfortable with delegation

23. Conclusion
Delegation is a powerful tool when used correctly can create an effective and safe environment in which staff and patients work together to achieve positive outcomes.

24. References
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (
Yoder-Wise, P. (2007). Leading and Managing in Nursing (4th ed.).
Sullivan, E. & Decker, P. (2005). Effective Leadership & Management in Nursing.
Huber, D. (2006). Leadership and Nursing Care Management.