Lecture 4 Delegation Flashcards
Delegation
Getting work done through others; directing the performance of one or more people to accomplish organizational goals.
Things that nurses cannot delegate
- The nursing process - any component, including writing care plans.
- Anything that requires nursing judgment, including evaluating the successfulness of an intervention and triage.
- Teaching/counseling - this includes discharge teaching.
- To LPNs: The initial assessment of a new patient; chemotherapy, IV pushes, and hanging blood products.
- To UAPs: Interpreting test results; identifying needs.
The ANA defines delegation as _
The transfer of responsibility for the performance of a task from one person to another.
The NCSBN defines delegation as _
Transferring to a competent individual the authority to perform a selected nursing task in a selected situation.
Accountability
- Internalized responsibility whereby an individual agrees to be morally responsible for the consequences of his actions.
- Delegation makes the person assigned a task accountable for its completion.
Responsibility
- The obligation to accomplish work; a duty or an assignment.
- Delegation always results in shared responsibility.
In order to delegate to an LPN or UAP, the RN needs to be aware of that person’s _
Individual qualifications to perform that assignment.
Five rights of delegation (NCSBN)
- Right task - one that is delegable for a specific patient.
- Right circumstances - appropriate patient setting, available resources.
- Right person - right person delegating the right task to the right person to be performed on the right person.
- Right direction/communication - clear, concise description of the task (objective, limits, expectations).
- Right supervision - appropriate monitoring, evaluation, intervention as needed, and feedback.
RNs should provide clear communication to UAPs with _
- Expected timelines.
- Guidelines for consulting with the RN.
- Guidelines for reporting back completion of delegated activities.
During delegation, UAPs should be instructed to _
- Repeat the directions.
- Confirm the understanding.
- Be encouraged to ask questions.
- Be encouraged to feel part of the healthcare team.
6 cultural phenomena that must be considered when working with staff from a culturally diverse background (Giger and Davidhizar, 2004)
- Communication.
- Space.
- Social organization.
- Time.
- Environmental control.
- Biological variations.
Underdelegating burdens the manager, and frequently stems from _
The individual’s false assumption that delegation may be interpreted as a lack of ability on his or her part to do the job correctly or completely.
Overdelegating burdens the subordinate, and may stem from _
- Poor management of time, spending most of it just trying to get organized.
- Feelings of insecurity about their ability to perform a task.
Improper delegation includes such things as _
Delegating at the wrong time, to the wrong person, or for the wrong reason.
Although the manager should specify the end product desired, it is important that the subordinate has an appropriate degree of _ in deciding how the work is to be accomplished.
Autonomy.
