Available online 31 August 2022

The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) recognizes that assistive personnel (AP), previously referred to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) or nursing assistive personnel (NAP), are integral supportive members of the health care team that function under the supervision of the professional licensed nurse. In a nursing care team that represents a varied skill set, the role of the AP is critical to safe and efficient patient care. AP function at their highest

A health care system that delivers optimal care for individuals and their families relies on a high degree of collaboration among registered nurses, vocational/practical nurses, and AP. The ability to successfully delegate, assign, and supervise are critical competencies of the 21st century nurse. Professional registered nurses must possess key clinical practice characteristics such as licensure, application of learned knowledge, and the skills acquired upon completion of specialized education

The professional licensed nurse is responsible and accountable for the delegation of specific tasks to the AP. Furthermore, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and the American Nurses Association (2019) define these responsibilities as follows:

Accountability: Defined as judgment and action on the part of the nurse for which the nurse is answerable and responsible to self and others for their actions.

Supervision: The active process of directing, guiding, and influencing the outcome

The following are recommendations that can assist the organization in achieving the goals of this position statement. This list is not exhaustive, nor will each recommendation be feasible for every organization. Each organization should consider, based on its unique circumstances, what recommendations are best suited for its operations.

Develop an organizational policy on delegation with diverse input from nurses. Acknowledge that delegation is a professional right and responsibility.

Provide

AWHONN gratefully acknowledges Debbie Ketchum, DNP, MAOM, RN, NEA-BC, RNCMNN, C-EFM, Angela Deportage, MSN-Ed, RN, Toni Swinton DNP, RNC-OB, C-EFM, CONQS, NPD-BC, and Karen Crowley, DNP, APRN-BC, WHNP, ANP, CNE, who contributed to portions of the revised position statement.

(2021)

(2021)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

© 2022 AWHONN, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc.