What it means
One of the classic functions of nursing management, along with planning, organizing, staffing and controlling. In delegation, directing means giving the person who will do a task clear instructions: what to do, for which client, by when, and what to report back. The nurse stays responsible for checking the result.
For the nurse
Give instructions that are specific and complete, check that the delegatee understands, and follow up to supervise and evaluate the outcome.
Related terms
UAP
Unlicensed assistive personnel: trained workers without a nursing license, such as nursing assistants, who help with client care.
registered nurse
A nurse who has passed the NCLEX-RN and holds a state license to practice as an RN.