Thoughtful nursing practice: reflections on nurse delegation decision-making.
This article discusses delegation challenges and legal and regulatory oversight associated with delegation in the clinical practice setting. The authors address moral and legal attributes of the roles and responsibilities of health care providers regarding delegating health care interventions. The article also explores guiding principles and rules of delegation within professional standards, national practice guidelines, and state nurse practice acts. Nurse experts provide thoughtful reflection on nursing models and the role of delegation, emphasizing the critical role of delegation in extending the role of the health care professional in patient care services.
McInnis
Leigh Ann
LA
Middle Tennessee State University, School of Nursing, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA. lmcinnis@mtsu.edu
Parsons
Lynn C
LC
D000575:American Nurses' Association / Q000458:organization & administration; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D032022:Delegation, Professional / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008008:Licensure, Nursing; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D009743:Nursing, Practical / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011361:Professional Competence; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013850:Thinking; D014481:United States