Delegating task

mynhii · Oct 14, 2011

Everyone delegates....RN's, LPN's..heck even CNA's delgate on a level when they ask for assist from a nother aide...we all delegate..we just dont think about it.

Well, unless my understanding of delegate (authorize) is wrong, my CNA doesn't really delegate. She simply does her job although she explains a bit. My classmate and I only need to observe and practice what she's doing.

oblivionenigma · Oct 14, 2011

Your mother is creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. No, you may not be a natural leader, but that doesn't mean you can't be a good leader.

On the bright side, a good staff kind of knows where they fit in in the general scheme of things. However, it is the nurse that guides the staff, delegates, etc., particularly when things don't go well.

That said, this is a skill you can learn! Become very familiar with scope of practice for those under you, as well as familiar with strengths and weaknesses of individual staff members. Then you'll know what the staff can and can't do, and who would be best for what.

Try to relax; this is not something everyone is expecting you to magically be a master of.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2011

I'm doing clinical practice for my CNA program, and I realize that it is easier to follow guidance than actually guide someone. I have finished my prerequisites for nursing and am ready to apply for Fall 2012. What concerns me is supervision task. To be an RN, I have to be able to delegate tasks to LVNs and CNAs, don't I? Can I still be a nurse without supervising anyone? I'm always better at following orders than teaching people. It's stressful enough to follow the charge nurse's orders properly. I really don't want added stress of monitoring other people's work.

Nope. but many hospitals skimp on cnas. Most that i have seen hire them and they are supposed to do certain tasks. such as vitals, baths and feeds. YOU have to supervise them and are accountable for those things being done. If they aren't done on time, it is on you. That is actually a part of nursing many people don't like, i am sure.

mynhii · Oct 14, 2011

Your mother is creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. No, you may not be a natural leader, but that doesn't mean you can't be a good leader.
On the bright side, a good staff kind of knows where they fit in in the general scheme of things. However, it is the nurse that guides the staff, delegates, etc., particularly when things don't go well.
That said, this is a skill you can learn! Become very familiar with scope of practice for those under you, as well as familiar with strengths and weaknesses of individual staff members. Then you'll know what the staff can and can't do, and who would be best for what.
Try to relax; this is not something everyone is expecting you to magically be a master of.

Am I going to learn how to delegate in nursing school? Or will I only learn about law and skills? I check CSU East Bay course description, and I don't see any course that teaches leadership role. Is it something I have to learn on my own?

oblivionenigma · Oct 15, 2011

Yes, you will earn some delegation in nursing school as part of clinicals. If you're doing a baccalaureate degree, you'll probably have a class somewhere in there about leadership and management as well. The rest you just learn from experience.

If you feel that this is a serious issue, you may wish to talk to your instructors. They may have some suggestions and/or resources for you :)

defyinggravity2009 · Oct 15, 2011

Delegating is uncomfortable at first - all CNAs/PCAs are feeling you out, just like our other coworkers. I know what you mean about wanting to do it all yourself - I'm a big fan of the old saying, 'if you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself.' But sometimes it's just not reasonable. If you want your CNAs/PCAs to help you without giving you a hard time, be helpful - in the world of patient care, a conscientious nurse never has time to waste. Don't hunt them down for 10 minutes to ask them to take a patient to the bathroom because you don't want to do it. If your delegatees are behind in their work, take your own vitals, and get blood sugars for your patients. If you know you have something that needs to be done at a certain time, give them a heads up (timed bloodwork, etc). You'll never be able to do it all by yourself - their aren't enough hours in the day. But when I'm swamped with admissions and I have to draw stat bloodwork (I am terrible at drawing bloodwork), or when I have an assignment of patients who all need total care, I am grateful to have PCAs/CNAs that know I won't abuse them cause there are there for me in a pinch when I need them most.

oblivionenigma · Oct 15, 2011

If you want your CNAs/PCAs to help you without giving you a hard time, be helpful...Don't hunt them down for 10 minutes to ask them to take a patient to the bathroom because you don't want to do it. If your delegatees are behind in their work, take your own vitals, and get blood sugars for your patients. If you know you have something that needs to be done at a certain time, give them a heads up (timed bloodwork, etc)

Thank you for hitting a nail beautifully on the head! Some nurses refuse to do "CNA work;" everyone knows who they are very quickly, and everyone hates to work with them. I've found that if I go the extra mile for my staff, my staff takes extra good care of me. I don't know how many times staff has bailed me out of overwhelming situations. Also, if you are open, pro-active with communication (as defyinggravity says), and make your needs known to them, you'll usually find that your need to delegate decreases. They learn your expectations and fill gaps as needed. I've found I usually have to "delegate" by exception; that is, when something goes wrong or we need to prioritize.

Also, if it makes you feel better, delegating does not mean micromanaging. Your staff is trained. Trust them. :)