The concept of delegation empowers medical practitioners to provide timely, effective, and safe care to their patients. However, many registered nurses (RNs) fail to consider it as a core function of care delivery. This paper discusses why practicing RNs should appreciate the power of delegation.
Nurses do not delegate their roles in their respective settings due to various reasons. Firstly, practitioners are usually involved in cases that require ongoing care and support (Yoon, Kim, & Shin, 2016). This means that such clinicians will not implement their delegation authority. Secondly, primary models of care force nurses to work independently and provide medical support to one patient at a time. Thirdly, health organizations lack enough nurse aids and assistants, thereby making delegation an impossible function (Tompkins, 2016). Fourthly, many units focus on the importance of team nursing whereby all practitioners collaborate to meet patients’ health needs. Finally, some health professionals treat delegation as a role of nurse leaders (NLs) only.
Several recommendations are needed if more nurses are to appreciate delegation as an important liability. The first one is for medical organizations to hire more assistants and aids to complete various roles assigned to them. The second approach is establishing a culture that encourages RNs to pursue this function (Sayani, 2016). The third strategy is for practicing nurses to implement care delivery models that promote this concept. Finally, RNs can engage in lifelong learning to understand how delegation can meet the needs of patients and minimize costs.
In conclusion, practicing nurses should consider the function of delegation and appreciate it. They can identify existing gaps and develop superior care models that promote this function. Health institutions should also recruit more nurse aides to meet patients’ needs.
References
Sayani, A. H. (2016). Delegation, a strategy to prepare second line nursing management in health care setting. International Journal of Innovative Research & Development, 5(13), 149-152.
Tompkins, F. (2016). Delegation in correctional nursing practice. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 22(3), 218-224. Web.
Yoon, J., Kim, M., & Shin, J. (2016). Confidence in delegation and leadership of registered nurses in long‐term‐care hospitals. Journal of Nursing Management, 24(5), 676-685. Web.