Editing RN Scope of Practice (section)

== Supervisory and delegation role ==

The RN commonly directs the work of LPN/LVNs and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Delegation is the transfer of authority to perform a selected task in a selected situation to a competent individual, while the RN retains accountability for the outcome (NCSBN and ANA, 2019). Supervision is the provision of direction, periodic observation, and evaluation of the person carrying out the delegated task.

Key points for the exam:

* The RN may delegate a ''task'', never the ''nursing process'' itself.
* Assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome setting, evaluation, and initial teaching are not delegable.
* The stability and predictability of the client largely determine what may be delegated.
* Accountability for the decision to delegate and for the resulting outcome stays with the RN.

Delegation is treated in detail in the companion article on RN delegation and supervision.