Nursing often feels like a balancing act — answering call lights, giving meds, charting, and still trying to be fully present with patients. You can’t do it all alone, and that’s where delegation becomes essential.
In this guide, we’ll explain what delegation really means in nursing and why it matters for both patient safety and teamwork. You’ll find clear 5 rights of delegation nursing examples that show how these rules apply in real situations — from med-surg units to long-term care. We’ll also walk through a step-by-step process, case studies, and common mistakes to avoid so you can delegate with confidence.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- What delegation actually is.
- The five rights explained in plain language.
- Real-world examples you can use right away.
- A simple step-by-step delegation method.
- Case studies.
What is Delegation in Nursing?
Delegation in nursing is the art of sharing tasks without giving up responsibility. Think of it this way: you may hand off the “doing,” but you still own the outcome.
It isn’t about pushing work onto someone else. It’s about deciding — with intention — which tasks another team member can safely complete, and which ones require your direct attention. Good delegation always takes three things into account:
- The patient’s condition and safety
- The skills and training of the person you’re assigning the task to
- Your own professional judgment
When you delegate well, the workload feels lighter, care gets delivered faster, and your team grows stronger. Done poorly, it can put patients — and your license — at risk.
Why Delegation Matters
- Improves efficiency: You can’t be everywhere at once. Delegation helps the team cover more ground without burning you out.
- Enhances patient safety: When done right, tasks are completed faster, correctly, and consistently.
- Supports teamwork: Delegation gives CNAs, LPNs, and techs a chance to fully use their skills.
- Prevents burnout: Sharing the load keeps you from running on empty by mid-shift.
Five Rights of Delegation in Nursing
The five rights act like safety filters. They help you decide what to delegate, who to delegate it to, and how to make sure it’s done correctly. Think of them as a checklist you can run through in seconds during a busy shift.
1. Right Task
Choose a task that’s safe and predictable. It should be routine, low risk, and appropriate for the patient’s condition.
- Stick to tasks with clear outcomes.
- Avoid anything that requires complex judgment or critical thinking.
Examples: recording intake/output, helping a patient walk, assisting with daily hygiene.
2. Right Person
Delegation only works when the task is given to someone with the right training and scope of practice.
- Match the task to the person’s competency.
- Consider their current workload and stress level.
Examples: an LPN administering oral meds, a CNA assisting with meals or repositioning a patient.
3. Right Communication (Direction)
Even simple tasks need clear, specific instructions. Good communication prevents mistakes and builds confidence.
- Be direct and avoid vague language.
- Ask the person to repeat instructions to confirm understanding.
Example: “Check Mr. Lopez’s temperature every hour. Call me right away if it goes above 100.4°F.”
4. Right Supervision (Evaluation)
Delegation doesn’t mean stepping away. You stay accountable and provide oversight.
- Check that tasks are done correctly.
- Offer feedback and guidance as needed.
Example: If a CNA reports low urine output, the nurse follows up by assessing the patient and documenting the finding.
5. Right Circumstances
Context matters. A task that’s safe in one situation may be unsafe in another.
- Evaluate patient stability and the environment before delegating.
- Make sure adequate staff and resources are in place.
Example: delegating vital signs for a stable patient is fine, but not for someone in acute respiratory distress.
Practical Nursing Delegation Examples
Knowing the five rights is one thing. Seeing them in action is what makes them stick. Below are 10 real scenarios from different nursing units, showing how delegation works safely in practice.
1. Medical-Surgical Unit
On a busy med-surg floor, a nurse is caring for four post-op patients. One needs pain medication, another requires wound assessment, and two others are stable but need help walking. With so much happening at once, the nurse has to prioritize.
- Delegated Task: Ask the CNA to help the stable patients ambulate in the hallway.
- Why it fits: Ambulation is routine, patients are stable, CNA is trained, instructions are clear, and the nurse checks progress afterward.
2. Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
In the ICU, a ventilated patient requires close monitoring, IV drips, and frequent assessments. Meanwhile, routine care like repositioning and oral hygiene still needs attention.
- Delegated Task: Assign the CNA to provide oral care and reposition every two hours.
- Why it fits: Predictable, within CNA scope, and allows the nurse to focus on high-level care while still supervising.
3. Emergency Department (ED)
The ED is hectic: three patients arrive at the same time — one with chest pain, another with an ankle sprain, and a third with a deep laceration. The nurse must immediately prioritize the patient with chest pain but still ensure the others are cared for.
- Delegated Task: Direct the CNA to take vitals and provide comfort care for the ankle and laceration patients.
- Why it fits: Routine vitals and comfort are safe to delegate, freeing the nurse to focus on the most critical patient.
4. Pediatric Unit
In pediatrics, one child recovering from surgery needs frequent vitals, while another stable child requires help with feeding and hygiene. The nurse balances monitoring for complications with providing basic care.
- Delegated Task: Assign the LPN to perform vitals and oral meds, while the CNA helps with meals and hygiene.
- Why it fits: Both tasks match staff scope and competence, supporting recovery without risk.
5. Long-Term Care Facility
A nurse in a long-term care home is responsible for a group of elderly residents. Some require medications and wound checks, while others need daily bathing and mobility exercises.
- Delegated Task: Ask the CNA to assist with bathing and mobility exercises.
- Why it fits: Routine, predictable tasks within CNA scope, while the nurse focuses on medications and wound care.
6. Postpartum Unit
On the postpartum floor, one mother is recovering from a C-section and requires close monitoring, while another is stable after a vaginal delivery and mostly needs support with ambulation and newborn care.
- Delegated Task: Have the CNA help the stable mother with ambulation and newborn care.
- Why it fits: Low-risk tasks that support recovery, letting the nurse concentrate on the higher-risk C-section patient.
7. Psychiatric Unit
A psychiatric nurse is overseeing a group therapy session while also preparing to review medications with a high-acuity patient. Other patients still need observation during the group.
- Delegated Task: Assign a mental health tech to observe and document behavior during the therapy session.
- Why it fits: Observation and documentation are safe within scope, with the nurse supervising through review.
8. Home Health Care
During a home health visit, a nurse sees a stroke patient who requires medication review, mobility support, and daily hygiene. The nurse needs time to focus on medication reconciliation and rehab goals.
- Delegated Task: Ask the home health aide to handle bathing and feeding.
- Why it fits: Safe, predictable tasks that free the nurse to manage complex needs.
9. Operating Room (Pre-Op)
In pre-op, a patient is being prepared for surgery. They need baseline vitals, gowning, consent verification, and IV insertion. The nurse must prioritize consent and IV access while still ensuring prep runs smoothly.
- Delegated Task: Have the CNA collect vitals and prepare the patient in a gown.
- Why it fits: Routine pre-op tasks are safe to delegate, while the nurse completes consent and IV access.
10. Rehabilitation Unit
In a rehab unit, a patient recovering from a hip replacement requires pain management, therapy, and frequent monitoring. Therapy staff are scheduled to work with the patient, but they still need safe transfers.
- Delegated Task: Assign the CNA to assist with bed-to-chair transfers.
- Why it fits: Transfers are routine, within scope, and safe under nurse supervision, leaving the nurse available for pain management and evaluation.
Step-by-Step Delegation Process
Delegation isn’t random — it’s a structured decision. Here’s a simple five-step guide you can use in real time, even during a hectic shift.
Step 1: Assess the Patient and the Situation
Start by reviewing each patient’s needs and risks. Ask yourself: Which patients require my direct attention, and which tasks can be safely handed off? A clear assessment helps you avoid unsafe delegation.
- Example: A patient just out of surgery needs your full assessment and monitoring. Meanwhile, a stable patient can safely have routine vitals checked by a CNA.
Step 2: Match the Task to the Right Person
Look at your team’s skills, roles, and current workload. Delegation works best when the right person is paired with the right task.
- Example: An LPN may be best suited to give oral medications, while a CNA is appropriate for assisting with hygiene or ambulation.
Step 3: Provide Clear Instructions
Be specific, direct, and easy to understand. Don’t assume people “just know” what you mean. Always outline what needs to be done, when it should be done, and what to report back.
- Example: “Please walk Mr. Allen to the hallway and back twice today. If he becomes dizzy or short of breath, stop immediately and call me.”
Step 4: Supervise and Stay Available
Delegation doesn’t mean disappearing. Stay accessible and ready to step in if conditions change. Supervision builds trust and keeps patients safe.
- Example: If a CNA reports difficulty during ambulation, you assess the patient right away and adjust the care plan as needed.
Step 5: Follow Up and Evaluate Outcomes
Always close the loop. Check that the task was completed correctly, review the outcome, and provide feedback. This reinforces accountability and strengthens teamwork.
- Example: After a patient has ambulated, you check their vitals, thank the CNA for the support, and document the progress in the chart.
Case Study Walkthroughs
These real-life walkthroughs show how the five rights of delegation guide safe decisions. Each one highlights the reasoning behind what’s delegated and why.
Case Study 1: Post-Operative Care
A nurse has two post-op patients. One is stable and ready to start ambulating, while the other has just come from surgery with low blood pressure and requires close monitoring. The nurse must decide how to balance both.
- Right Task: Delegate ambulation of the stable patient.
- Right Person: Assign a CNA experienced in assisting with mobility.
- Right Communication: “Please walk Mr. Daniels to the nurse’s station and back. If he feels dizzy or unsteady, stop immediately and let me know.”
- Right Supervision: The nurse remains available and checks in afterward.
- Right Circumstances: Ambulation is appropriate only for the stable patient, not for the one with unstable vitals.
Case Study 2: Emergency Department
Three patients arrive simultaneously: one with chest pain, another with an ankle sprain, and a third with a deep laceration. The nurse must focus on the chest pain patient but still ensure the others are cared for.
- Right Task: Delegate vitals and comfort measures for the ankle sprain patient.
- Right Person: Assign the CNA.
- Right Communication: “Take her vitals every 15 minutes, keep her comfortable, and report any changes to me.”
- Right Supervision: The nurse reviews vitals and checks in while focusing on the chest pain case.
- Right Circumstances: Delegation frees the nurse to prioritize the most critical patient.
Case Study 3: Pediatric Floor
On a pediatric unit, one child with asthma is stable but needs regular peak flow readings. Another is in acute distress and requires immediate nursing intervention.
- Right Task: Delegate routine peak flow checks for the stable child.
- Right Person: Assign an LPN trained in pediatric respiratory care.
- Right Communication: “Check her peak flow every 4 hours, chart the results, and alert me if readings drop.”
- Right Supervision: The nurse reviews the log and reassesses as needed.
- Right Circumstances: Stable condition makes this task safe to delegate.
Case Study 4: Long-Term Care Facility
A nurse is managing several elderly residents at once. One resident requires wound care, while others need bathing and repositioning to prevent pressure injuries.
- Right Task: Delegate bathing and repositioning.
- Right Person: Assign the CNA.
- Right Communication: “Please bathe Mrs. Green and reposition her every two hours. Let me know if you notice any redness on her skin.”
- Right Supervision: The nurse inspects the skin afterward and documents findings.
- Right Circumstances: These are routine tasks well within the CNA’s role.
Case Study 5: Home Health Visit
During a home health visit, a nurse sees a stroke patient who needs medication review, mobility help, and personal care. To stay focused on complex tasks, the nurse must decide what to delegate.
- Right Task: Delegate hygiene and feeding.
- Right Person: Assign the home health aide.
- Right Communication: “Assist with bathing and feeding. If he coughs or has trouble swallowing, call me right away.”
- Right Supervision: The nurse observes swallowing during feeding to ensure safety.
- Right Circumstances: A stable home environment makes this appropriate for delegation.
Conclusion
Delegation in nursing is about making smart, safe choices that keep patients cared for and your team functioning smoothly. The 5 rights of delegation nursing examples show how a structured approach — right task, right person, right circumstances, right communication, and right supervision — can make the difference between chaos and control.
The more you use delegation thoughtfully, the more confident and efficient you’ll become. Every shift gives you a chance to refine this skill. Over time, you’ll find yourself balancing patient needs, supporting your team, and leading with greater ease.
