What does "delegation" mean in nursing practice?

Delegation in nursing practice specifically refers to the process of transferring the responsibility for performing a specific task to another person while maintaining accountability for the outcome of that task. This means that a nurse can assign certain clinical tasks or functions to other qualified individuals, such as unlicensed assistive personnel, while continuing to ensure that the overall care remains safe and effective. The nurse retains professional responsibility for the patient's health, which involves evaluating the competency of the person to whom the task is delegated, providing appropriate supervision, and ensuring that the task is completed as needed.

This concept is essential in nursing as it fosters teamwork and allows nurses to focus on more complex care needs, thus improving overall patient care. Understanding delegation is crucial for effective time management and resource utilization in healthcare settings, where a nurse often handles multiple patients.