Are nurses allowed to delegate tasks according to Florida nursing regulations?

In Florida, nurses are allowed to delegate tasks, but this delegation must adhere to both legal and ethical standards. The Florida Board of Nursing outlines specific guidelines for delegation, which include considering the complexity of the task, the qualifications of the person to whom the task is delegated, and the overall context of patient care.

Delegation involves a nurse assessing the situation to ensure that the task can be safely performed by a nursing assistant or another healthcare worker, and that the nurse remains ultimately responsible for patient outcomes. This framework ensures that patient safety and quality of care are maintained while allowing nurses to effectively manage their workload and resource allocation.

Some options, like those suggesting that delegation is entirely prohibited or that it can occur without any restrictions, do not accurately reflect the regulatory framework in place. Only licensed nurses, not physicians, are permitted to delegate nursing tasks, further emphasizing nurses' crucial role in ensuring proper patient care through responsible delegation.