The increased use of unlicensed assistive personnel presents both opportunities and challenges for the American health care system. The nurse manager has to deal with the challenge that unlicensed assistive personnel only be used to provide personal care needs or nursing tasks that do not require the skill and judgment of the RN.
1. The nurse manager reviews the national effort to define the scope of practice for unlicensed assistive personnel. In 2007, the American Nurses Association made recommendations for a national and/or state policy for nursing assistive personnel. What are the six actions that should be taken to create a national and/or state policy agenda about the educational preparation of unlicensed assistive personnel and the competencies they should have for safe practice?
2. The need in health care today is for today’s nurses to have highly developed delegation skills in working effectively and efficiently with unlicensed assistive personnel. This is critical to ensure the clients’ needs are met and their safety is not jeopardized. What are the key general principles that the nurse manager needs to review with professional registered nurses in delegating to unlicensed assistive personnel?
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Introduction:
The use of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) has become increasingly common in the American healthcare system, creating both opportunities and challenges for nurse managers. As a medical professor in charge of creating college assignments and answers for medical college students, I understand the importance of educating future healthcare professionals on the best practices for working with UAPs. In the following sections, I will provide answers to two questions related to UAPs.
1. The six actions that should be taken to create a national and/or state policy agenda about the educational preparation of unlicensed assistive personnel and the competencies they should have for safe practice are as follows:
1. Develop and implement clear roles, responsibilities, and standards for UAPs
2. Establish standardized training and educational requirements for UAPs
3. Mandate ongoing education for UAPs to ensure continued competency
4. Establish a formal system for UAP supervision and oversight
5. Create a reporting system for adverse events involving UAPs
6. Develop a process for evaluating the effectiveness of UAP policies and procedures
These actions will help ensure that UAPs are properly trained, supervised, and held accountable for their actions, ultimately improving patient safety and outcomes.
2. The key general principles that the nurse manager needs to review with professional registered nurses in delegating to unlicensed assistive personnel are as follows:
1. Clearly define the task or activity that is to be delegated
2. Assess the UAP’s competency to perform the task or activity
3. Clearly communicate the instructions and expectations for the task or activity
4. Provide adequate supervision and monitor the UAP’s performance
5. Document the delegation process and outcomes
6. Evaluate the effectiveness of the delegation process and make adjustments as needed
By following these general principles, nurse managers can ensure that delegated tasks are performed safely and effectively, minimizing the risk of harm to patients.
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