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128 unit 2 | Working Within the Organization CikguOnline
Conclusion judgment in making decisions. Professional judg-
ment is directed by the state nurse practice act and
The concept of delegation is not new. The delega- national standards of nursing. Institutions develop
tion role is essential to the RN-LPN and RN-UAP their own job descriptions for UAP and other health-
relationship. Personal organizational skills are a care professionals, but institutional policies cannot
prerequisite to delegation. Before the nurse can contradict the state nurse practice act. Although the
delegate tasks to others, he or she needs to under- nurse delegates the task or activity, he or she remains
stand individual client needs. Using worksheets accountable for the delegated decision.
and Maslow’s hierarchy helps the nurse understand Understanding the concept of delegation helps
these individual client needs, set priorities, and the new nurse organize and prioritize client care.
identify which tasks can be delegated to others. Knowing the staff and their capabilities simplifies
Using the Delegation Decision-Making Grid helps delegation. Utilizing staff members’ capabilities
the nurse delegate safely and appropriately. creates a pleasant and productive working environ-
It is also important the nurse be aware of the ment for everyone involved. Understanding delega-
capabilities of each staff member, the tasks that may tion and proper application of delegation principles
be delegated,and the tasks that the RN needs to per- is needed in the implementation of the various
form. When delegating, the RN uses professional nursing practice models.

Study Questions

1. What are the responsibilities of the professional nurse when delegating tasks to an LPN or UAP?
2. What factors need to be considered when delegating tasks?
3. What is the difference between the delegation and the assignment of a task?

4. What are the nurse manager’s legal responsibilities in supervising UAP?
5. If you were the nurse manager, how would you have handled Laura’s situation?
6. How would you have handled the situation if you were Linda?
7. Bring the client census from your assigned clinical unit to class. Using the Delegation Decision-
Making Grid, decide which clients you would assign to the personnel on the unit. Give reasons for
your decision.

8. What type of nursing delivery model is implemented on your assigned clinical unit? Give examples
of the roles of the personnel engaged in client care to support your answer.

Case Study to Promote Critical Reasoning

Julio works at a large teaching hospital in a major metropolitan area. This institution services the
entire geographical region, including indigent clients, and, because of its reputation, administers
care to international clients and individuals who reside in other states. Like all health-care
institutions, this one has been attempting to cut costs by using more UAP. Nurses are often floated
to other units. Lately, the number of indigent and foreign clients on Julio’s unit has increased. The
acuity of these clients has been quite high, requiring a great deal of time from the nursing staff.
Julio arrived at work at 6:30 a.m., his usual time. He looked at the census board and discovered
that the unit was filled, and Bed Control was calling all night to have clients discharged or
transferred to make room for several clients who had been in the emergency department since the
previous evening. He also discovered that the other RN assigned to his team called in sick. His
team consists of himself, two UAP, and an LPN who is shared by two teams. He has eight clients