Priorities and Delegation Paper

Delegation and assignment of nursing activities are important parts of the implementation component of practice for the registered nurse and licensed practical nurse. The licensed nurse may delegate and assign nursing care activities to other licensed nurses or unlicensed assistive personnel. This is based on their own licensed level, assessment of the client’s status, clinical competence of licensed and unlicensed personnel, and factors in each practice setting. Before assigning and delegating nursing activities to staff, the nurse needs information about the staff so that they can confidently assign them to the patients. One must know the legal roles in RNs and LPNs before delegation can occur. Delegation by RNs and LPNs must be within their scope or practice. Duties and responsibilities vary in different states. According to the Massachusetts Nurse Practice Act in the state of Massachusetts, nurses may assign and delegate the UAP any activities that do not require nursing assessment and judgment during implementation. In addition, they can allow the UAP to collect, report, and document simple data. Furthermore, UAP may be involved in activities that assist the patient in meeting basic human needs such as nutrition, hydration, mobility, comfort, elimination, socialization, rest and hygiene. In the state of Massachusetts, there are four nursing activities that must not be delegated to the patients. These activities include nursing assessments and judgment during implementation. The second is physical, psychological, and social assessment that requires judgment, intervention, referral or follow-up. In addition, UAP are not permitted to administer medications as well as create the plan of nursing or evaluate the patient’s response to the care given. There are several factors that a charge nurse must