Delegation versus Assignment in Nursing

Key Points

• Delegation is an RN-requested task performed by LPN/LVN or assistive personnel on the RN’s behalf.
• Assignment is routine role-based work within a staff member’s normal scope and training.
• RN-to-RN task transfer is transfer of care, not delegation.
• Accountability and supervision expectations differ across all three.

Pathophysiology

Role confusion in staffing workflows can produce supervision gaps and delayed escalation. Clear distinction between delegation and assignment improves team reliability and legal-ethical accountability.

Classification

• Delegation: RN remains accountable; task given outside delegatee’s routine workflow but within approved role/policy.
• Assignment: Staff performs expected duties of their role with usual supervision standards.
• Transfer of care: RN-to-RN responsibility transfer for patient care.

Nursing Assessment

NCLEX Focus

Ask first: Is this routine role work (assignment), delegated RN task, or full transfer of patient responsibility?

• Identify whether the activity is standard job-function work or delegated exception.
• Confirm the responsible clinician after handoff or role change.
• Evaluate required level of RN oversight based on task and acuity.
• Verify escalation pathway for changes in patient condition.
• Document responsibility boundaries at shift and event transitions.

Nursing Interventions

• Use assignment for routine scope-consistent activities.
• Use delegation only when five-right criteria are met.
• Treat RN-to-RN requests as transfer-of-care events with explicit acceptance.
• Reinforce accountability expectations during team huddles.
• Correct ambiguity immediately to prevent unsafe assumption gaps.

Responsibility Ambiguity Risk

If team members are unclear whether care is delegated or transferred, critical tasks can be missed.

Pharmacology

Medication workflow errors increase when assignment and delegation boundaries are unclear; confirm responsible role and supervision expectations before administration.

Clinical Judgment Application

Clinical Scenario

A charge RN asks another RN to manage a deteriorating patient while also asking AP to complete routine vitals on assigned patients.

Recognize Cues: Two distinct workflows are occurring simultaneously. Analyze Cues: RN-to-RN action is transfer of care; AP work is assignment or delegation depending on context. Prioritize Hypotheses: Explicit role clarity is required to prevent delay. Generate Solutions: Confirm acceptance, task ownership, and reporting pathways. Take Action: Document responsibility transitions and supervision plan. Evaluate Outcomes: Team executes without missed tasks or ownership confusion.

Related Concepts

• five-rights-of-nursing-delegation - Safety criteria for RN delegation decisions.
• continuity-of-care-during-evaluation-phase - Responsibility clarity during transitions.
• isbar-clinical-handoff-communication - Structured tool for transfer-of-care communication.

Self-Check

1. When does an RN-to-RN request become transfer of care?
2. How do supervision requirements differ between assignment and delegation?
3. Which documentation elements prevent ownership ambiguity?