Tom Joserine, Nurse Manager Of A 36-Bed Orthopedic Unit ✓ Solved
Tom Joserine A Nurse Manager Of A 36 Bed Orthopedic Unit Has
Did Nurse Joserine delegate tasks appropriately? Why or why not? Include the 5 steps of delegation. Who will be held accountable for the outcomes of the roles/tasks that Nurse Joserine has delegated?
Paper For Above Instructions
Nurse Joserine, as a manager of a 36-bed orthopedic unit, has made a significant decision by choosing to delegate tasks in order to effectively manage his workload. While delegation is a critical skill in nursing management, it is essential to assess whether Nurse Joserine’s approach aligns with best practices. In this analysis, I will explore the appropriateness of Nurse Joserine’s delegation, incorporating the five steps of delegation while highlighting accountability for the delegated tasks.
Understanding Delegation
Delegation in nursing is defined as the transfer of responsibility for a task from one individual to another, while retaining accountability for the outcome. It is a fundamental skill that enables managers to optimize their time and resources effectively. The five steps of delegation are: assessing the task, determining the appropriate person, communicating the task, ensuring understanding, and supervising the progress.
Analysis of Nurse Joserine's Delegation
Nurse Joserine appears to have followed the first step of delegation by identifying tasks that consume most of his time: disciplinary problems and quality improvement activities. By recognizing these tasks, he aligns with the need for assessment, which is the first vital step in delegation.
However, the second part—determining the appropriate person for each task—can be examined further. Nurse Jeleen, as the nursing coordinator, may be qualified to handle evaluations and incident reports. The provision of managerial classes indicates that Nurse Joserine is aware of a potential gap in skills and seeks to fill it. Nurse Jeleen seems capable, yet her need for guidance raises questions about her readiness to assume full responsibility for these tasks.
When it comes to Nurse Mae, the clinical nurse specialist, delegating responsibility for quality improvement activities is justifiable given her role; however, the support provided to her is limited. While Nurse Joserine encourages her to reach out to the quality improvement committee head for assistance, he does not clarify the specific expectations involved in her new responsibilities or offer further oversight.
Effective Communication
Communication is the third step of delegation. Nurse Joserine has communicated the changes to his team, which is a step in the right direction. However, the lack of comprehensive information regarding the new responsibilities may lead to confusion or misunderstandings regarding expectations. Delegation without clear communication can result in errors, especially in interdisciplinary contexts where collaboration is critical.
Ensuring Understanding
Following communication, Nurse Joserine should ensure that Nurse Jeleen and Nurse Mae fully understand their new roles. While he advises Nurse Jeleen to enroll in managerial classes, there is little evidence that he will provide ongoing support or training that is sometimes necessary for new roles. It is critical for Nurse Joserine to confirm that both nurses feel confident in their ability to handle the delegated tasks.
Supervision and Accountability
The final step of delegation involves supervision of the progress. Although Nurse Joserine has offloaded substantial responsibilities, ongoing oversight will be essential to ensure that the new delegation does not compromise patient care or the quality of services offered in the orthopedic unit. Accountability is a crucial aspect of delegation: while Nurse Joserine retains overall responsibility for outcomes, both Nurse Jeleen and Nurse Mae will be accountable for the specific tasks they undertake. This shared accountability is vital as it encourages ownership of the assigned roles while ensuring that quality and safety are maintained.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Nurse Joserine has taken steps toward effective delegation, there are several aspects that require further attention. He must ensure that both Nurse Jeleen and Nurse Mae not only understand their new roles, but also feel supported in their efforts to meet the new challenges. The importance of supervision cannot be understated, especially in environments where patient care is paramount. By embracing delegation within a clear framework of responsibility and accountability, Nurse Joserine can reduce his workload while fostering the professional growth of his team.
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