Five Rights of Nursing Delegation

00:01 So, let's remember the registered nurse at the top of that pyramid.

00:04 They're gonna be able to delegate to the LPN and the nursing assistant personnel.

00:09 So, let's look at the five rights of delegation and we'll go through each one of those.

00:15 So, as a registered nurse, when I delegate, I need to make sure I'm giving them the right task.

00:20 So, here's an example. I need to make sure if I delegate vital signs, that's within the scope of practice of that nursing assistant personnel.

00:29 I cannot ask that nursing assistant personnel to maybe go do a head-to-toe assessment to monitor the patient.

00:37 Who would that be more appropriate for? That's right, the LPN. So, again, the nursing assistant personnel may do something like vital signs or blood glucose.

00:48 The LPN would monitor the patient. So, then, let's talk about the right circumstance.

00:55 This one's a little bit tricky and where the skill level of the RN comes in.

01:00 So, it's okay to delegate maybe vital signs to a nursing assistant but I would not wanna do that if the patient's condition is not stable.

01:09 So, if the patient doesn't look good, maybe they look lethargic and tired or they're not arousing very well.

01:16 Or maybe they're just not doing well overall, I do not want the nursing assistant to delegate to do those vital signs.

01:23 I need to do that as a nurse.

01:25 That takes a different level assessment that is within my scope of practice as a registered nurse.

01:31 And next, remember to do the right person.

01:35 Again, this goes back to what's that person's scope of practice? What's the most appropriate for that individual when we give them a task? And don't forget direction.

01:47 Now, it seems to be a silly thing to talk about but unless I give my LPN or nursing assistant personnel the right instructions and clear, if I just say, "Hey, go take vital signs on that guy." Who is that? Which guy? What patient? Which vital signs? How much? Do you want a pulse ox with it? What else do you want with that? So, be clear.

02:10 So, make sure you say maybe, "I need you to take a blood pressure and a heart rate on Mr. Jones in 956, please." Again, notice that please after.

02:21 That's always nice when you delegate. And lastly, don't forget about the right supervision.

02:27 So, this is what's a little bit difficult for us as registered nurses and something we definitely got to remember.

02:33 Anything that I delegate to the LPN or the nursing assistant personnel, I am ultimately responsible for the supervision and the outcome of that patient.

02:45 Okay, that's important, so, I'm gonna say it again.

02:47 If I as a registered nurse delegate something to someone else, I am responsible for that action.

02:54 Here's a great example. I used to work on the stroke floor and I would delegate a manual blood pressure with a cuff, a lot of the times, what you guys see at the doctor's office to my nursing assistant.

03:05 So, maybe my nursing assistant brings back a blood pressure and I look at, "This doesn't look like what that patient's been running on their blood pressure." So, if I just take it as is, I am responsible for any medication that I give.

03:19 So, therefore, I need to make sure that this is correct and accurate and I'm responsible for this blood pressure.

03:27 So, if there's any questions, sometimes as a registered nurse, we may just need to go do it for ourselves.

03:32 So, make sure whatever you delegate, know that you are responsible for as a registered nurse.