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24 lip 2023 · Possible legal and ethical constraints arise regarding delegation in nursing. Therefore, the American Nurses Association developed the five rights of delegation to assist nurses in making safe decisions.
Fortunately, ANA developed Principles for Delegation by Registered Nurses to Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP). This document provides strategies for RNs to draw from when determining which tasks to delegate.
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), RNs should use the five rights of delegation to ensure proper and appropriate delegation: right task, right circumstance, right person, right directions and communication, and right supervision and evaluation:
The goal was to develop national guidelines based on current research and literature to facilitate and standardize the nursing delegation process. These guidelines provide direction for employers, nurse leaders, staff nurses, and delegatees.
It involves effective communication, empowering staff to make decisions based on their judgment and support from all levels of the health care setting. The employer/nurse leader, individual licensed nurse, and delegatee all have specific responsibilities within the delegation process. (See Delegation Model below.)
Delegation is the act of requesting help, asking someone to complete an activity or task for us, outside of their assignment or usual role but within their scope of practice and training to do so. What does an act of delegation look like? A licensed nurse must first determine what they are specifically asking for and from whom.
To make safe, effective delegation decisions, RNs must understand the responsibility, authority, and accountability related to delegation. Delegation decisions must be based on the fundamental principle of public protection.