title: Registered nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel: an uneasy alliance.
abstract: To meet challenges of continuing change in the health care industry and maintain organizational viability in increasingly competitive markets, the use of the registered nurse--unlicensed assistive personnel model is an undeniable reality that fills the void created by the current shortage of nurses and decreases the costs of providing patient care. Although much has been published about the need for nurses to delegate and supervise patient care-related activities, little has been written about the skills needed to do this effectively or how these skills may be learned. Academic and clinical educators must find ways to facilitate the development of delegation and supervision abilities as nurses increasingly work with nonprofessional staff. Continuing education is an effective way for nurses to learn the skills required by changing models of patient care delivery and evolving professional roles.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Department, New Jersey City University, Keyport, USA.
authors.forename: Carol S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kleinman
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Saccomano
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003363:Cost Control; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007587:Job Description; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D016294:Models, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory / Q000458:organization & administration; D009746:Nursing, Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D032024:Personnel Delegation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000458:organization & administration