Cudjoe 2
Delegation and Supervision Written Report
Delegation and supervision are essential aspects of clinical work. Delegation is the process by which a task is assigned to someone else, but the one who assigns is still responsible for the outcome. Delegation is important as it maintains accountability while assigning tasks to staff members. During my student clinical, the delegation was a problem since there was no supervision. Supervision is a vital process during delegation, and one needs to provide it appropriately because they will be the ones who will be accountable for the outcome of the patient. I used to perform my tasks, but I never knew whether I was doing the right thing or the wrong thing. During the delegation, I was never told what to do when to do it, and I was never given the opportunity to ask questions. This made the process hectic since I had to consult from other departments.
To improve the delegation process, communication should be a priority. Before commencing with the delegation, a clear description of the task is supposed to be communicated effectively. I should be enlightened on the goals, limitations, and expectations of the task given to know what to do so that I can achieve them. Specific feedback about the task at a specific time should also be communicated. I should also be communicated that I should not perform any activities on patients with unstable status, that is, activities that require skills or special training. Nurses are not supposed to assume that I know what I am supposed to do even if I have worked for a long time. A good rapport should be created between the nurse and me to improve and make effective the delegation process. The action is important since I will be aware of the right and wrong things.
Supervision is also important in the improvement of the delegation process. This involves the nurse coming to your place of work and providing guidance on the specific nursing task given. Evaluation and intervention are also done so that mistakes can be corrected to avoid a negative outcome. Nurses should ensure that they monitor everything done by the delegates because they are unlicensed to perform some tasks. Delegates mostly perform simple tasks that do not require skills, such as feeding the patients, collecting simple sample tools, and transporting the patients. Nurses should provide support and the required resources because they are the ones who are accountable for the outcomes (Seibert). For positive outcomes and activities that are appropriate to the level of competence, maximum support from the delegator is required. This action will help improve the delegation process since it will help in maintaining positive outcomes.
In addition, training is required during delegation. This will help the delegator get positive outcomes because I would have been trained appropriately, and I know what to do and what not to do. Training also helps avoid unnecessary accidents such as collecting wrong sample tools from a laboratory. This might even cause death since the patient will be prescribed the wrong drugs. Training goes hand in hand with supervision since, with the help of supervision, I will be trained and monitored on how I will be carrying out the task after training. Further training of assignees makes them knowledgeable, and they can be retained as interns after the delegation process. Training will help in improving the delegation process because I will be aware of the steps I am supposed to follow while carrying out tasks hence minimizing accidents.
Work Cited
Seibert, Susan A. “Learning Delegation Through Role-Play: A Problem-Based Learning Activity for Nursing Students.” Nursing Education Perspectives 42.6 (2021): E143-E144.