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.