confusion regarding delegation of work

[sunzzi]

Hi!! There,

I m preparing myself for the Nclex-Rn exam. I m following Suzanne's plan and goin via the cd right now.

I m finding myself in confusion when it comes abt delegating works between LPN and Nursing assistants.

Can somebody make me understand the roles between these two?

I will appreciate so much.

Sunzzi

[colleennurse, ASN, RN]

From the way I was taught and understand it (and I live in NY) is that Nursign assistants (UAPs) cannot do sterile techniques (except venipuncture, at least in NY) or anything pertaining to the nursing process, they cannot do anything invasive. LPNs cannot do anything from the nursing process except implement and do data gathering (which I was taught is not assessing). LPNs can do sterile technique and they work under the direction/supervision of an RN. I am thinking that some things vary from agency to agency and state to state, such as in NY only RNs can do IVP drugs and draw blood from central lines and I know that some places LPNs cannot start IV drugs. Also RNs DELEGATE to other RNs or LPNs and they ASSIGN to UAPs. Some of things that I mentioned above may only pertain to Nursing practice in NY.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Remember you can't delegate anything to do with care planning and initial assessment.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

From the way I was taught and understand it (and I live in NY) is that Nursign assistants (UAPs) cannot do sterile techniques (except venipuncture, at least in NY) or anything pertaining to the nursing process, they cannot do anything invasive. LPNs cannot do anything from the nursing process except implement and do data gathering (which I was taught is not assessing). LPNs can do sterile technique and they work under the direction/supervision of an RN. I am thinking that some things vary from agency to agency and state to state, such as in NY only RNs can do IVP drugs and draw blood from central lines and I know that some places LPNs cannot start IV drugs. Also RNs DELEGATE to other RNs or LPNs and they ASSIGN to UAPs. Some of things that I mentioned above may only pertain to Nursing practice in NY.

It must differ from other parts of the US. LPNs can assess here. They just cannot perform initial assessments. In one of our hospitals, they take a full load of pts. Also, RN's can delegate to anyone, just as long as they follow the rules of delegation. UAPs/CNAs can perform sterile techniques. Just remember that LPN's are nurses, and CNA/UAPs are not.

I've found that the questions related to delgation want you to maximize the best use of everybody's time and talents. So just because an LPN can take vitals and weigh pts, doens't mean that you choose to delegate that to them. You would delegate for them to care for a stable pt, delegate the CNA to do vitals, and assess your most unstable pt for yourself.

[MomenTs]

Delegation is more to do with safety and well being of the patient, right guys?

[sunzzi]

Thanks guys,

Your suggestions helped me a lot in this particular area. I will keep these things in my mind.

Sunzzi

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Delegation is more to do with safety and well being of the patient, right guys?

True, but it's also about supervision. RNs are "patient care managers" and need to delegate appropriate tasks to appropriate people to assure the safety and well being of the patient.

The RN must know what the job descriptions are of those he/she delegates to and if they are competent in those tasks, and are responsible for the outcomes. It's actually an awesome responsibility when you think about it.