Assignment 4: Delegation and Prioritization Case Study
Course Details
Course Code: NURS 440
Course Title: Nursing Leadership and Management
University: Galen College of Nursing
Semester: Spring 2026
Level: Undergraduate (Year 3 or 4)
Assessment Weighting: 20%
Due Date: Week 9
Page Length: 3–4 pages
Context
This assignment builds skills in delegation and prioritization essential for nursing leadership. It aligns with NCSBN guidelines and the five rights of delegation, focusing on safe task assignment in high-pressure scenarios. Students draw from lectures on scope of practice, team dynamics, and ethical considerations to manage care effectively, preparing for roles in acute settings where quick decisions impact patient outcomes.
Task Description
Review the provided case study involving a busy medical-surgical unit with multiple patients. Prioritize care needs, delegate tasks to appropriate team members (RN, LPN, UAP), and provide rationales based on scope of practice and patient acuity. Include potential risks and evaluation strategies.
Requirements
- Use the case scenario: Charge nurse on night shift with four RNs, one LPN, two UAPs, and patients with varying conditions (e.g., post-op, unstable vitals, routine care).
- Prioritize at least five tasks or patients; delegate using the five rights (right task, circumstance, person, direction, supervision).
- Support decisions with at least three evidence-based sources.
- Format as a structured report with sections for prioritization, delegation, rationales, and evaluation.
- Adhere to APA 7th edition for citations and references.
- Submit via the online platform as a Word document, double-spaced, with title page.
Marking Criteria/Rubric
- Prioritization (25%): Accurate ranking of tasks/patients with clear rationale using acuity tools like ABCs or Maslow’s hierarchy.
- Delegation Decisions (30%): Appropriate assignments to team members, adhering to scopes of practice; identifies five rights.
- Rationales and Risks (20%): Evidence-based explanations; discusses potential errors or oversights.
- Evaluation and Ethics (15%): Plans for monitoring outcomes; addresses ethical issues like accountability.
- Academic Standards (10%): Clear writing, page limit compliance, proper APA with references.
The charge nurse assessed the unit with a post-op patient reporting severe pain at 8/10 and unstable vitals, prioritizing them first over routine med passes. Delegation assigned the LPN to administer IV meds to a stable diabetic patient, ensuring the task matched their scope. UAP handled ambulation for a low-risk mobility case, with RN supervision outlined. Risks included potential miscommunication, so clear directions were given via SBAR. Evaluation checked patient response within one hour, adjusting as needed. As emphasized by LaCharity et al. (2021), effective delegation enhances team efficiency and patient safety in dynamic settings. This approach prevented escalation in acuity levels.
Table 1: Regional Assignment Variations
| Region | Common Term | Typical Length | Emphasis Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Assignment | 3–4 pages | NCLEX rationale, team scopes |
| Australia | Assessment Task | 750–1,000 words | Ethical delegation, NMBA |
| UK | Case Study | 800–1,200 words | NMC codes, risk assessment |
| Canada | Project | 3–5 pages | Interprofessional ethics |
| UAE | Brief | 750 words | Adapted global standards |
Table 2: Rubric Breakdown Trends
| Criterion | Average Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prioritization | 25% | Acuity ranking, tools like ABCs |
| Delegation | 30% | Five rights application, team assignment |
| Rationales/Risks | 20% | Evidence-based, potential errors |
| Evaluation/Ethics | 15% | Outcome monitoring, accountability |
| Formatting/APA | 10% | Compliance, clarity |
- References
- LaCharity, L. A., Kumagai, C. K. and Bartz, B. (2021) Prioritization, delegation, and assignment: practice exercises for the NCLEX-RN® examination. 5th edn. St. Louis: Elsevier. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/C2020-0-00012-3.
- Yoder-Wise, P. S. (2019) Leading and managing in nursing. 7th edn. St. Louis: Elsevier. Available at: https://www.elsevier.com/books/leading-and-managing-in-nursing/yoder-wise/978-0-323-44913-7.
- Marquis, B. L. and Huston, C. J. (2021) Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: theory and application. 10th edn. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer. Available at: https://shop.lww.com/Leadership-Roles-and-Management-Functions-in-Nursing/p/9781975139216.
- Motacki, K. and Burke, K. (2023) Nursing delegation and management of patient care. 3rd edn. St. Louis: Elsevier. Available at: https://www.elsevier.com/books/nursing-delegation-and-management-of-patient-care/motacki/978-0-323-69782-8.
