DELEGATION

Definitions ""Delegation  is defined as the transfer of Delegation  is defined as the transfer of

responsibility for the performance of a task responsibility for the performance of a task from one person to anotherfrom one person to another" "

"The transfer of responsibility for the "The transfer of responsibility for the performance of an activity from individual to performance of an activity from individual to another while retaining accountability for the another while retaining accountability for the outcome". (American Nurses Association)outcome". (American Nurses Association)

Delegation is appointing a person to act on Delegation is appointing a person to act on one's behalfone's behalf

Principles of delegationThere are four fundamental principles which serves as guides for There are four fundamental principles which serves as guides for

effective delegationeffective delegation Assignment of duties in terms of expected resultsAssignment of duties in terms of expected results parity of authority and responsibility while assigning duties to parity of authority and responsibility while assigning duties to

subordinates there should be equality of authority and responsibilitysubordinates there should be equality of authority and responsibility

3. clarifications of limits of authority :it is clear limit of authority that 3. clarifications of limits of authority :it is clear limit of authority that permits subordinates to exercise initiative to develop their personal permits subordinates to exercise initiative to develop their personal capacity through freedom of action and to know their area of capacity through freedom of action and to know their area of operation.operation.

4. unit of command :as employee should receive orders from one 4. unit of command :as employee should receive orders from one superior only.so subordinates should always be placed under the superior only.so subordinates should always be placed under the guidance,control and supervision of one supervisior /superior who will guidance,control and supervision of one supervisior /superior who will set up work priorities and will arrange for cooperation.set up work priorities and will arrange for cooperation.

Clarifications of limits of authority :it is Clarifications of limits of authority :it is clear limit of authority that permits clear limit of authority that permits subordinates to exercise initiative to subordinates to exercise initiative to develop their personal capacity through develop their personal capacity through freedom of action and to know their area freedom of action and to know their area of operation.of operation.

Unit of command :as employee should Unit of command :as employee should receive orders from one superior only. receive orders from one superior only.

Strategies for effective delegating

Plan ahead Identify necessary skill and levels Select most capable person Communicate goal clearly Empower the delegate Set deadlines and monitor progress Model the role: provide guidance Evaluate performance Reward accomplishment

The five rights of delegation Right TaskRight Task

One that is delegable for a specific patientOne that is delegable for a specific patient. . Right CircumstancesRight Circumstances

Appropriate patient setting, available resources, and other Appropriate patient setting, available resources, and other relevant factors considered. relevant factors considered.

Right PersonRight PersonRight person is delegating the right task to the right person to Right person is delegating the right task to the right person to be performed on the right personbe performed on the right person. .

Right Direction/CommunicationRight Direction/CommunicationClear, concise description of the task, including its objective, Clear, concise description of the task, including its objective, limits and expectationslimits and expectations. .

Right SupervisionRight SupervisionAppropriate monitoring, evaluation, intervention, as needed, Appropriate monitoring, evaluation, intervention, as needed, and feedback.and feedback.

Delegation ProcessDelegation Process

Define the taskDefine the task Decide on the delegateDecide on the delegate Determine the taskDetermine the task Reach an agreementReach an agreement Monitor performance  and Monitor performance  and provide feedbackprovide feedback

Common delegation errors

Under delegatingUnder delegating Over delegatingOver delegating Improperly delegatingImproperly delegating

Under delegatingUnder delegating

Lack of experience Lack of trust Desire to complete the whole job Fear of subordinates( resent having

work delegated to them.)

Over delegation

Poor management of timeFeel insecure in their ability to

perform a task

Improperly delegatingWrong time Wrong person Wrong reason

Delegation as a function of professional nursing RNs asked to assume the role of supervisor RNs asked to assume the role of supervisor

and delegator need preparation to assume these and delegator need preparation to assume these leadership task .some experts argue that that leadership task .some experts argue that that RN. although well trained in the role of direct RN. although well trained in the role of direct care provider, is often inadequately prepared care provider, is often inadequately prepared for the role of direct care provider is often for the role of direct care provider is often inadequately prepared for the role of delegator.inadequately prepared for the role of delegator.

Nursing schools and health care organizations Nursing schools and health care organizations needs to do a better job for preparing needs to do a better job for preparing professional RNs for the delegator role.professional RNs for the delegator role.

DELEGATING TO UNLICENCED ASSISTIVE PERSONEL. No task may be delegated to a UAP thatrequires substantial knowledge or technical skill.

For example: Pre-procedure assessment Post-procedure evaluation Invasive lines Sterile technique or procedure on patient Nursing process Patient triage

Delegation to UAP

Appropriate training Adequate orientation Documented competency Checked off on repetitive tasks If unsafe In writing inform supervisor & staff

development“Based on this, I am requesting further education

“I will not work with this person until I have assurance in writing......”

DELEGATING TO INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAMS interdisciplinary team members are generally interdisciplinary team members are generally

highly trained, self- directed professionals, the highly trained, self- directed professionals, the team must have a leader to coordinate team team must have a leader to coordinate team members efforts and to facilitate members efforts and to facilitate communication between members. The nurse communication between members. The nurse leader/manager is often called upon as the leader/manager is often called upon as the individual to coordinate such a team. In individual to coordinate such a team. In coordinating the efforts of the inter disciplinary coordinating the efforts of the inter disciplinary team or in delegating to members of the team, team or in delegating to members of the team, the leader/ manager must be sure to recognize the leader/ manager must be sure to recognize the unique expertise of each team members and the unique expertise of each team members and to delegate accordingly.to delegate accordingly.

DELEGATING TO A TRANS CULTURAL WORK TEAM

Poole and colleagues 1995 suggest that six Poole and colleagues 1995 suggest that six cultural phenomena must be considered cultural phenomena must be considered when delegating to staff from a culturally when delegating to staff from a culturally diverse background ;communication diverse background ;communication space ,social organization, time space ,social organization, time environmental control, and biological environmental control, and biological variationsvariations

Subordinate resistance to delegation Some subordinates resist delegation simply Some subordinates resist delegation simply

because they believe they are incapable of because they believe they are incapable of completing the taskcompleting the task

Another cause of resistance to delegation is an Another cause of resistance to delegation is an inherent resistance to authority. in this case the inherent resistance to authority. in this case the delegator must be calm but assertive about his delegator must be calm but assertive about his expectation & provide work guidelinesexpectation & provide work guidelines

Explicit work guidelines if necessary ,to Explicit work guidelines if necessary ,to maintain an appropriate authority power gap. maintain an appropriate authority power gap. It is an ongoing leadership challenge to instill a It is an ongoing leadership challenge to instill a team spirit between delegator and their team spirit between delegator and their subordinates.subordinates.

Barriers to delegation

The belief that “i can do it better myself” Lack of confidence and trust in workers Low self confidence, insecurity Vague job description Inadequate training Lack of adequate recruitment and

selection Time involved in explaining the task

Con….. Fear of loss of power Subordinate resistance to delegation Failure of the delegator to see the

subordinates perspectives Workload assigned are highly challenging

both physically and mentally Belief of employees that they are incapable

of completing the delegated task. Inherent resistance to authority Due to over delegation

ADVANTAGES OF DELEGATION

Successful delegation results in• Makes work easier.• Improves efficiency.• Increases employee effectiveness.• Develops employees.• Ensures that the right people do the

right jobs

DISADVANTAGES

Frailty of human life Eye wash delegation Unfamiliarity with art of delegation Incapacity of subordinates

Reasons for nurses why attempted delegation fails to produce desired results Nurses fails to recognize and incorporate

the principles of effective delegation Nurses do not recognize that habits

ingrained from old practice patterns prevent improvement in delegation skills.

Nurses are unwilling or unable to view delegation from the perspective of the delegate.

Conclusion

Delegation is the transfer of authority to perform a specific nursing task in a specific situation to a competent individual.

Delegation is the entrusting of authority, power and responsibility to another.

When used appropriately, delegation is a vital tool for the professional nurse and should ensure safe, competent nursing care.

Delegation and responsibility are considered closely related concepts

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