Failing to assign the staff to the proper areas can result in injury or incomplete care of patients. Medication must be dispensed according to doctors orders. Administering an incorrect dose of medication could cause a medical emergency and possibly death. When there is a medical emergency or fall resulting in an injury, the events leading to the incident must be documented properly. Failure to complete the proper documentation could result in a lawsuit.
Good judgment is necessary for the high decision making requirements of the position.
The RN must be able to delegate authority properly. The nurse in charge has staff under his or her command that has to be placed into the correct areas to complete the required care. It is important that the nurse is fair in the assignments and doesn t play favorites by assigning the undesirable tasks to one individual. It is also important for the RN to properly assess incidents and select the proper course of action. Unfortunately, healthcare is a bureaucracy and if the nurse doesn t follow the proper channels, the insurance company may withhold or refuse to pay for medical treatment.