DELEGATION AS A

MANAGEMENT FUNCTION
Introduction
Delegation is the assignment of authority and
responsibility to another person to carry out specific
activities.
The person who delegated the work remains
accountable for the outcome of the delegated work.
Delegation provides a means for increasing
productivities.
Delegation empowers a subordinate to make
decisions.

Definitions
Delegate- to entrust to another; to appoint as
ones representative; to assign responsibility or
authority.

Delegation- the act of empowering to act for
another.


"Delegation is defined as the transfer of
responsibility for the performance of a task from
one person to another.

"Transferring to a competent individual the
authority to perform a selected nursing task in a
selected nursing situation . The nurse retains
accountability for delegation"


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

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

5 Rights to delegation (NCSBN)
(The National Council of State Boards of Nursing )
NCSBN in US presents 5 rights to delegation from
the perspectives of both nursing service
administrator and staff nurse.
Right task
Right circumstance
Right person
Right direction/communication
Right supervision/evaluation

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Define the task
Decide on the delegate
Determine the task
Reach an agreement, Monitor
performance and provide feedback

Delegation Process
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

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

Makes work easier, Improves
efficiency.
Increases employee effectiveness.
Develops employees.
Ensures that the right people do the
right jobs.

Common delegation errors
Barriers to delegation
Contd
Reluctance to take the risks involved in depending
on others.
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

Delegating to a transcultural
work team
Factors which may affect delegation when dealing
with sub-ordinates from different cultural
background include
Communication
Space
Social organisation
Time
Environmental control
Biological variations

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.

References
Ward MJ, Price SA .Issues in nursing administration.
St.Louis: Mosby;1991.

Marquis B.L. ,Hutson C.J . Leadership roles and
management functions in nursing Theory and
application. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott
Williams and Wilkins; 2006.

Douglass L M. The effective nurse- leader and
manager. 5th ed. Mosby: St. Louis; 1996.
contd,
Morrison M. Professional skills for leadership. Mosby: US; 1993.

Ellis J R, Hartley C L. Managing and Co-ordinating nursing care. 3rd ed.
Lippincott: Philadelphia;1995.

Basvanthappa BT. Nursing administration. New Delhi: Jaypee brothers;
2000.

Anthony, Mary K., Theresa; Hertz, Judith .Factors Influencing Outcomes
After Delegation to Unlicensed Assistive Personnel. JONA. 30(10):474-
481, October 2000.

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