As a Certified Nursing Assistant in Washington, you may be familiar with the term “Nurse Delegation.” Understanding the specific process of Nurse Delegation for CNAs in Washington State is gateway to new opportunities and providing even better care to your clients.
But what does it actually mean? Let’s deep dive more into it.
What is Nurse Delegation? It’s All About Teamwork.
Nurse Delegation involves a registered nurse (RN) assessing a client’s needs and thenteaching and authorizing a qualified Certified Nursing Assistant (you!) to carryoutspecificidentified nursing tasks.
Reflect on duties that go beyond the essential CNA skills of washing,clothing, and assisting with dailytasks. These activitiesgenerallyhelpapersonmaintainindependence in their home,including:
- Administering insulin injections
- Administering specific prescribed medications (oral, eye drops, inhalers)
- Performing blood sugar testing
- Using a nebulizer
- Applying prescription creams or ointments
The RN remains responsible for the overall plan of care, but they delegate the task to you. This is not about substituting the nurse; it’s about collaborating effectively to guarantee that the client receives reliable, prompt care.
Why is this significant in Washington?
Washington State emphasizesenabling elderly and disabled people to access complex care in community environments—suchas their residences or adult family homes—ratherthan in institutions. Nurse Delegation enables this tohappen.
In the absence of an assigned CNA, a nurse would need to see a client several times daily,each day, to provide routine medications. This is frequentlyunfeasible and extremelycostly. By assigning these responsibilities, the system guaranteesthat clients receive the support they require to flourishintheirpreferredenvironment
How Do You Become a Delegated CNA?
You can’t just decide to take on these tasks. There’s a crucial process designed to keep everyone—especially the client—safe.
- You Must Be a Current CNA: First and foremost, you need to be in good standing on the Washington State NAC registry.
- Complete Specialized Training: This is the most important step. You must complete a state-approved training course. This isn’t your initial CNA training; it’s an additional, focused class that teaches you the laws, ethics, and specific procedures for delegated tasks. You’ll need to complete the Nurse Delegation core training to understand your role and responsibilities fully.
- Get Delegated by a Nurse: After your training, a registered nurse will assess your competency. They will personally train you on the specific needs of each client and each task. Only after they are confident in your ability will they formally delegate the task to you in writing.
What’s In It For You?
Beyond the incredible satisfaction of providing more comprehensive care, becoming a delegated CNA has real professional benefits.
- Increased Value: You become a more valuable employee. Adult family homes and home health agencies are in search of CNAs who possess this certification.
- Career Growth: It opens doors to new job opportunities and can often come with a higher pay rate due to your advanced skills.
- Deeper Fulfillment: It allows you to build stronger, more trusting relationships with your clients by supporting more of their daily health needs.
For CNAs looking to enhance their influence and progress in their careers, pursuing Nurse Delegation is an important advancement. It highlights your expertise and emphasizes the essential function CNAs serve in Washington’s healthcare system.
