NAC632.222. Delegation and supervision of nursing care.

     1. A registered nurse may delegate nursing care to other personnel and supervise other personnel in the provision of that care if those persons are qualified to provide that care.

     2. A registered nurse shall perform or supervise any act necessary to ensure the quality and sufficiency of delegated nursing care provided to a patient.

     3. Before delegating the care of a patient, a registered nurse shall consider the following:

     (a) The amount of direction required by the person to whom the care is being delegated;

     (b) The complexity of the nursing care needed by the patient, recognizing that simple care may be performed by following an established policy while more complex care requires greater knowledge and a higher level of judgment, direction and supervision;

     (c) The educational preparation and demonstrated competency of the person to whom the care is delegated; and

     (d) The established policies and procedures relating to the care of the patient and the procedures used to communicate to other providers of health care the patient’s symptoms, reactions and progress.

     4. A registered nurse who delegates nursing care or duties relating to that care to other personnel is responsible for the actions taken by those persons in carrying out the duties delegated or assigned.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Nursing, eff. 11-2-87; A by R112-11, 2-15-2012)