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In nursing, one is expected to be accountable and responsible for one's own actions. This is also true for anyone the nurse delegates a task to. A nurse has the right to delegate or not delegate, depending on the circumstances surrounding the patient, but a nurse always has the responsibility of patient care foremost. Responsibility, accountability and delegation were expectations set in place for nurses in order to provide the best care for any patient. In most cases, a licensed nurse is held accountable for any student nurse working under their supervision, and the student nurse's actions. This does not give student nurses a free pass to make mistakes, and student nurses are expected to uphold the nursing standards just as licensed nurses would. The level of accountability and responsibility is dependent on a nurse's professional level.

Accountability in nursing is continuing education after graduation, maintaining any licenses, and staying abreast of new treatments and technology. These are all ways a nurse can show the public and employer that they are accountable. Accountability in nursing is a legal obligation. The ANA's nursing code states a nurse will assume accountability for judgment and actions while nursing. Nurses are considered accountable to their profession, employers, and the public. This accountability is expected in order to ensure...

Responsibility in nursing is answering for one's own performance and conduct. A nurse needs to demonstrate responsibility for their own actions, and is considered responsible for any task assigned to them. Responsibility can be revealed through educational preparation, work experience, and exhibiting competence. A nurse has the responsibility to practice within their own scope of care.
Delegation is the transfer of responsibility for the performance of a task from one individual to another while retaining accountability for the outcome. Example: the RN, in delegating a task to an assistive individual, transfers the responsibility for the performance of the task but retains professional accountability for the overall care. Giving a task to a student nurse, or team member who is not able to perform that task, is inappropriate delegation. Delegating tasks to better aid patients is common practice and a nurse should know their own strengths, weaknesses, how to delegate, when to delegate, and how to do so properly. Delegation is meant to promote patient safety, health and welfare.

Inappropriate delegation is either giving too much authority in a situation, or giving too little. RN's are typically the delegators in nursing situations. Nurses maintain accountability…