Delegation Tips

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I don't know if there is already a post dedicated to this (if so let me know) , but I have been working a lot on delegation lately and wanted to share a list of key words I have made so far that have been helpful. (NOTE: These aren't 100% accurate ALL of the time, but combining these loose "rules" with some critical thinking has really improved my delegation results)

Nursing Assistant

- ADLs/Noninvasive

- Assist

- Remind/Reinforce: usually reminds pt. TO do something rather than HOW to do it (skills previously taught by other health care professional or precaution measures)***

** Usually in regards to ADLs (hygiene, nutrition, ambulating, skin care), turning, repositioning, cough deep breathe ROM **

- Special positioning-- requires initial education by RN -- assistant will assist not teach

- I/O , VS, Weight

- Gather (equipment)

LVN/LPN

- Auscultate/Listen

- Check(s)

- Reinforce/remind

- Administer (PO,SubQ,IM -- NO high alert meds, plasma, blood products)

- Observe

- Collect (data, specimens)

- Monitor

- Set up (basic equipment)

- Review/Teach-- Usually standard practices (hand washing/hygiene) or med administration (ie. eye drops) -- RN mostly teaches (if anyone else has example of instances when LVN/LPN teach that would be great

- Routine/Standard

- Wound care/Suction/Urinary Cath

** Don't assign LVN/LPN to do a task an nurse assistant can complete**

RN

- Assess

- Plan

- Evaluate

- Consult

- Teach/Educate

- Encourage

- Develop

- Review

- Update

- Counsel

- Suggest

- Initial/Comprehensive/Baseline (assessments)

- Frequent/Ongoing assessments (unstable pts)

Physician

-Informed Consent

-Medical diagnosis

-Prescriptions

-Order procedures

Avoid These Assignments for New/Float/LVN/LPN/Traveling

-New onset/sudden/acute

-New admission

-Transfer

-Newly diagnosed

-Discharge

-Require education/teaching (beyond basic skills -- tend to be complex and specific to patients on that particular unit)

- Unstable (ie. High risk of sudden respiratory failure, or requires frequent assessments and changes in therapy)

Give

- Chronic

- Routine meds/procedures

- Stable

ALL HEALTHCARE WORKERS

- Responsible for knowing about and implementing standard precautions + airborne/droplet/contact --> therefore all can teach about it or prepare a room for it

This is what I have so far, but plan to add to it if I find more things as I go along -- If anyone has any input or corrections I would love to hear them :-)

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Good input. Thanks for sharing.

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those are good....could have totally used those while i was studying for the CLEX

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Thank you for posting that. Perfect timing, I take my NCLEX on the 22nd and that would be of great help! Thanks again. :)

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.
Thank you for posting that. Perfect timing, I take my NCLEX on the 22nd and that would be of great help! Thanks again. :)

TWO MORE DAYS FOR US.... Im scared.

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TWO MORE DAYS FOR US.... Im scared.

I know right. I'm having palpitations as early as now. The last few weeks I'm pretty confident that I'd do well on NCLEX but now that it is in 2 days I am having 2nd thoughts. I'm having thoughts like "what if I didn't studied enough or if I know very little and etc."

Praying does help but sometimes I can't help to be paranoid over failing again. LOL

But we have to think positive. Hahah!

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Just wanted to add that a nursing assistant can disconnect NG suction and remove a foley but not connect/insert

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Specializes in Step Down.

Did you take your test yet?

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Yes I took the test on Feb. 25th and passed :-)

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