Registered nurse utilization of nursing assistive personnel statement for adoption.

The Center for American Nurses (the Center) recognizes that in today's health care environment the NAP will be utilized to provide support to Registered Nurses in providing patient care. In delegating, it is the Registered Nurse who uses professional judgment to determine the appropriate activities to delegate. The determination is based on the concept of protection of the public (patient safety) and includes consideration of the needs of the patients, the education and training of the nursing assistive staff, the extent of supervision required, and the staff workload. Assessment, planning, evaluation and nursing judgment cannot be delegated. Any nursing implementation or intervention that requires independent, specialized, nursing knowledge, skill or judgment cannot be delegated. "The Registered Nurse is accountable for the delegation decision, the process and the ongoing monitoring of the outcomes of nursing care."