Which tasks cannot be delegated by a registered nurse in Washington State?

In Washington State, tasks that require nursing judgment cannot be delegated by a registered nurse. This is primarily because nursing judgment involves critical thinking, assessment, and decision-making skills that are essential for ensuring patient safety and effective care. Such tasks often require the nurse to assess a client's needs, interpret complex medical data, and make determinations based on individualized patient circumstances.

By not delegating these tasks, the integrity and safety of patient care are maintained, preventing potential harm that could arise from someone without the requisite training making decisions about a patient's health.

On the other hand, routine medication administration tasks, basic personal care tasks, and data collection tasks are typically more straightforward and can be delegated to trained unlicensed assistive personnel, given that they are sufficiently trained in those specific areas. Delegating these kinds of tasks allows registered nurses to focus on the aspects of care that require their expertise and clinical judgment.