Ethical and Legal Considerations for Nurse Leaders

Full Answer Section

      Professional Standard Not Met: The nurse manager failed to meet the standards of care in several ways:

• Improper Delegation:Assigning medication education, a complex task requiring nursing judgment, to an unlicensed nursing assistant (UNA) who is not qualified for such tasks.
• Inadequate Discharge Planning:Failing to ensure the discharge plan included proper medication education by a qualified RN and clear instructions for Mrs. Jones.

Nurse Leader's Role: The nurse manager is responsible for overseeing patient care, ensuring safe patient discharge, and delegating tasks appropriately based on staff qualifications. In this case, the manager:

• Delegated a complex task to an unqualified staff member.
• Did not provide adequate supervision or ensure competency of the UNA delegated the task.
• Failed to ensure clear communication and education for Mrs. Jones regarding her medication regimen.

Burden of Responsibility and Liability: Nurse leaders hold a significant burden of responsibility for ensuring quality care and patient safety. In this situation, the manager's negligence could lead to legal liability for Mrs. Jones' complications. Resources and Strategies:

• American Nurses Association (ANA):The ANA provides guidelines for delegation and patient education. Utilizing these resources can ensure proper task assignment and patient teaching.
• Competency Assessments:Regularly assess the competency of all staff members, including UNAs, to ensure they can perform delegated tasks safely and effectively.
• Standardized Discharge Planning Tools:Implement standardized tools to ensure all discharge plans include essential elements like medication education and follow-up instructions.
• Open Communication with Staff:Encourage open communication among staff regarding concerns about workload, staffing shortages, or delegation issues. This allows for early identification and resolution of potential problems.

By utilizing these resources and proactive strategies, nurse leaders can create a safer environment for patients and mitigate the risk of legal consequences due to negligence.  

Sample Solution

Brief Summary:

A 78-year-old patient, Mrs. Jones, undergoes knee replacement surgery. The nurse manager creates the discharge plan, assigning discharge teaching and medication education to an unlicensed nursing assistant (UNA) without proper oversight by a registered nurse (RN). Mrs. Jones is discharged home on pain medication but is not adequately informed about potential side effects or proper medication management. Following discharge, Mrs. Jones experiences a medication overdose and suffers serious complications.