DELEGATION- DEFINITION- According to American Nurses Association: Delegation is defined as: “The transfer of responsibility for the performance of an activity from individual to another while retaining accountability for the outcome". According to the National Council for State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) 1995 Delegation is defined as “transferring to a competent individual the authority to perform a selected nursing task in a selected situation.”
According to Sullivan & Decker, 2001 Delegation is defined as “Responsibility and authority to perform a task, function, activity, or decision is transferred to another individual who accepts the responsibility and authority. The delegator retains accountability for the task.” Definition -Delegation Achieving performance of care outcomes for which you are accountable and responsible by sharing activities with other individuals who have the appropriate authority to accomplish the work (Yoder-Wise, 2008).
DIMENSIONS /ASPECTS/ELEMENTS OF DELEGATION Assignment of duties and tasks: Grant of authority, power, right or permission Creation of obligation or accountability
5 RIGHTS OF DELEGATION Right task: Right circumstances: Right person: Right directions and communication Right supervision and evaluation
PRINCIPLES OF DELEGATION Principle of Delegation in terms of expected Results: Principle of Competence Principle of Trust and confidence Principle of Adequate authority for the Responsibilities Principle of Unity of Command Principle of Absolute Responsibility Principle of Adequate Communication Principle of Effective control Principle of reward Principle of receptiveness
PROCESS OF DELEGATION Define the task (Confirm in your own mind that the task is suitable to be delegated. Does it meet the criteria for delegating?) Decide on the delegate Determine the task Reach an agreement Monitor performance Provide feedback
STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE DELEGATION 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
DELEGATION GUIDELINES FOR NURSES The nursing profession defines and supervises the education, training and utilization for any assistant roles involve in providing direct patient care. The RN takes responsibility and accountability for the provision of nursing practice. The RN directs care and determines the appropriate utilization of any assistant involved in providing direct patient care. The RN accepts aid from nursing assistive personnel in providing nursing care for the patient.
ADVANTAGES OF DELEGATION Delegation permits the subordinates to enlarge their jobs , to broaden their understanding and to develop their capacity Delegation raises subordinates position in stature and importance and increases their job satisfaction Improved Quality of Work Personal benefits Delegation serves as a vehicle of coordination. Various levels of organization are used appropriately.
DISADVANTAGES • Managers lack the motivation or knowledge to delegate effectively • Many managers believe that "if you want it done right, you have to do it yourself” • Lack of trust in subordinates, fear of being seen as lazy, reluctance to take risks, and fear of competition from subordinates. • Improper delegation can cause a host of problems, primary of which is an incorrectly completed task, which may hurt the overall productivity of the organization.
BARRIER TO EFFECTIVE DELEGATION The belief that “I can do it better myself” Lack of confidence and trust in workers Low self confidence, insecurity Vague job description Inadequate training Lack of adequate recruitment and selection Time involved in explaining the task. 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
COMMON DELEGATION ERRORS Under delegating Over delegating Improperly delegating
Common Delegation Mistakes Strategic Mistakes : • Competing resources • Right task/wrong person • Right person/wrong task Implementing Mistakes : • Inadequate authority • Inadequate control • Insufficient information Monitoring Mistakes : • Too little or too much structure/control • Taking back initiative
HOW ONE SHOULD DELEGATE • Deciding what to delegate • Select capable, willing people to carry out jobs • Delegate complete jobs • Explain why the job is done, and what results are expected • Then let go! • Give help and coach when requested • Accept only finished work • Give credit when a job has been successfully completed
WHY PEOPLE DO NOT DELEGATE Lack of time perfectionism Fear of mistakes Fear of surrendering authority Fear of becoming invisible Belief that staff 'are not up to the job