What is "delegation" in nursing practice?

Delegation in nursing practice refers to the process of transferring the responsibility for a specific activity to another individual while retaining accountability for the outcome. This means that when a nurse delegates a task, they are not relinquishing their overall responsibility; instead, they are allowing another qualified person to carry out a task for which they themselves are still ultimately accountable.

This concept is critical in nursing as it enables effective teamwork and helps manage workloads more efficiently. When a nurse delegates, they assess the task, ensure that the delegatee has the necessary competence and authority, and maintain oversight of the task's completion, ensuring patient safety and quality care.

The other choices do not capture the essence of delegation accurately. Transferring all responsibilities is not appropriate in nursing, as the nurse must retain accountability. Assigning clients to specific nurses does not address the transfer of specific tasks or responsibilities. Similarly, managing time better in a busy ward is an outcome that delegation can help achieve but does not define the concept itself.