Delegation Survey Analysis - Case Study Example

Even then, there are still various challenges with the compliance of these rules. Summary of Survey Response Because of the current demands in nursing care that cannot be satisfied by the number of registered nurses (RNs), both the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) suggest delegation of tasks to nursing assistants to provide efficient healthcare service to patients. Despite allowing others of specific tasks, it does not free RNs from the responsibility toward their patients.

This implies that I delegate only the ones that are allowed to be passed onto unlicensed practitioners, such as basic nursing tasks not needing the use of judgment, I should be aware of the competencies and abilities of the person to whom the task is delegated in order to determine whether or not he or she is capable of doing the task, and I am still accountable as to the outcome of the delegated task. Because the outcome is by law still my responsibility, I should be available to supervise, and intervene once the task is not done properly.

Another important aspect of delegation aside from the communication and supervision of the task is evaluation of the performance of the delegated task. This makes way for learning and adjustment from both the RN and assistant, so that any mistakes or inefficiencies can be corrected in the future. As always, an open communication is necessary to be able to conduct an optimal evaluation (Gallagher, 2009; Ohio Administrative Code ch. 4723, § 13; Yoder-Wise, 2011; “Joint Statement of Delegation”, n.p.; ).

Analysis of Response Because of the many responsibilities and potential liabilities concerning delegation of nursing tasks, I most of the time find it easier for me to do things on my own instead of carefully contemplating whether or not 1) the task can be delegated, and 2) the assistant is capable of doing the task properly. I also find it more efficient to do the task myself, instead of taking time to explain the procedure in order to delegate. Thus, it is only in dire cases when I delegate tasks.

I thus end up overworked, exhausted and unhappy sometimes. I hope the state or the hospital considers establishing a committee or a particular group of nurses that will be tasked to delegate activities to assistants and monitoring the outcomes of delegated procedures, especially when it will be found through a study that delegated procedures are done sub-optimally or delegating RNs tend to do tasks themselves even if they have to attend to many patients. This should allow the lightening of nursing load to cut across all nurses, instead of the amount of nursing load being indirectly proportional to the nurse’s proficiency in delegation.

Improvement of Delegation Skills I recognize that delegation skills is something that every RN should develop, in order to provide health services as fast as possible, without compromising the quality of the care being given (Johnson, 1996). Until the demand for RNs are met, nursing assistants are an important part of efficient health service. I also recognize that delegation skills can only be improved through constant practice of the steps entailed for good delegation. What is important is to make the assistant and the patient feel that you are always present to look at every step taken by the assistant.

Importantly, the delegating RN should know both the patient and the assistant doing the procedure (Currie, 2008). This