Effective Delegation Delegation is an essential skill of a Registered Nurse (RN). According to Zerwekh and Garneau (2014), delegation is “the process for a nurse to direct another person to perform nursing tasks and activities.” This definition of delegation is easy to understand, and seemingly a simple concept. However, delegation is anything but a simple task. Mueller and Vogelsmeier (2013) explain, “Delegation takes place when the RN, who holds the authority for nursing care delivery, transfers responsibility for the performance pf a task to nursing assistive personnel while retaining accountability for a safe outcome” (p. 20). Furthermore, the delegate must accept the responsibility of performing the task, thus gaining the authority to complete it (Mueller and Vogelsmeier, 2013). Due to the inherent risks, many graduate nurses and new RNs are uncomfortable with the practice of delegation (Saccomano and Pinto-Zipp, 2011). However, with effective learning and communication, new RNs can conquer the chore of nursing task delegation. Individual states regulate nursing delegation through each state’s Nurse Practice Acts (NPAs), which establish exactly which nursing tasks the RN may delegate to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAPs) (Mueller and Vogelsmeier, 2013, p. 20). Day, Turner, Anderson, Mueller, & Corazzini (2014) report that new RNs spend the most amount of the workday “in management of care activities, which includes delegation” (p. 10). Saccomano and Pinto-Zipp (2011) add that recent graduates in the nursing profession are not adequately adapted to delegate tasks, and thus not prepared for the supervisory functions of a Registered Nurse. So then, how can new RNs delegate both confidently and effectively while still maintaining safe outcomes in patient care? According to Saccomano and Pinto-Zipp (2011), the answer lies in delegation education opportunities provided by nurse managers, which allow the new RN to learn to delegate nursing tasks. Effective
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Saccomano and Pinto-Zipp (2011) tells us that currently, RNs main ruote of learning revolves around clinical development, with little focus on management. If this is true, how will a new RN understand how to delegate to others? What is the best way to teach effective delegation to nurse graduates or new RNs? Zerwekh and Garneau (2014) describe transformational leadership as a style that occurs as one listens, observes, analyzes, and buys into the message of a leader (p. 214). Trans-formational leadership allows nurse educators to teach delegation in a way that highlights teamwork (Saccomano and Pinto-Zipp, 2011). This leadership style also allows management to observe the potential of the RNs to make beneficial decisions regarding patient care in relation to delegation (Saccomano and Pinto-Zipp, 2011). Saccomano and Pinto-Zipp (2011) …show more content…
Intrapractice communication between staff is an integral part of nursing care as routine delegation necessitates specific communication (Mueller and Vogelsmeier, 2013). Mueller and Vogelsmeier go on to say, “Evidence shows that communication lapses were a root cause of sentinel events from 1995 to 2006” (p. 21). To combat the communication lapses the Joint Commission developed standards of communication for employees in a health care setting entitled National Patient Safety Goals (Mueller and Vogelsmeier, 2013). The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safely Goals ensures communication between staff is effective and paramount in positive outcomes in delegated patient care (Mueller and Vogelsmeier, 2013). The need for nurses to communicate detailed information about nursing tasks is essential, explaining not only a given task, but explaining the rational for the care to the assistive personnel (Mueller and Vogelsmeier, 2011). Mueller and Vogelsmeier (2011)
Saccomano and Pinto-Zipp (2011) tells us that currently, RNs main ruote of learning revolves around clinical development, with little focus on management. If this is true, how will a new RN understand how to delegate to others? What is the best way to teach effective delegation to nurse graduates or new RNs? Zerwekh and Garneau (2014) describe transformational leadership as a style that occurs as one listens, observes, analyzes, and buys into the message of a leader (p. 214). Trans-formational leadership allows nurse educators to teach delegation in a way that highlights teamwork (Saccomano and Pinto-Zipp, 2011). This leadership style also allows management to observe the potential of the RNs to make beneficial decisions regarding patient care in relation to delegation (Saccomano and Pinto-Zipp, 2011). Saccomano and Pinto-Zipp (2011) …show more content…
Intrapractice communication between staff is an integral part of nursing care as routine delegation necessitates specific communication (Mueller and Vogelsmeier, 2013). Mueller and Vogelsmeier go on to say, “Evidence shows that communication lapses were a root cause of sentinel events from 1995 to 2006” (p. 21). To combat the communication lapses the Joint Commission developed standards of communication for employees in a health care setting entitled National Patient Safety Goals (Mueller and Vogelsmeier, 2013). The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safely Goals ensures communication between staff is effective and paramount in positive outcomes in delegated patient care (Mueller and Vogelsmeier, 2013). The need for nurses to communicate detailed information about nursing tasks is essential, explaining not only a given task, but explaining the rational for the care to the assistive personnel (Mueller and Vogelsmeier, 2011). Mueller and Vogelsmeier (2011)