Delegation in School Nursing Practice: A Mixed-Methods Study

In the updated School Nursing Practice Framework, delegation is a key part of the school nurse's care coordination role. The delegation of nursing procedures to unregulated assistive persons is a significant responsibility for nurses. Despite this, delegation has received relatively little attention in studies of school nursing practice. This mixed-methods study of delegation between 2018 and 2022 describes the types and quantity of delegations and the factors affecting school nurse delegation. Considerations related to procedures delegated, student context, and unregulated assistive persons were examined. The results of this study highlight the challenges encountered when delegating nursing procedures in a school context including time, appropriate staffing, and resources. This information may help practicing school nurses to reflect on their own practice and generate creative solutions to overcome barriers. In addition, this information is important to supervisors and those developing policy to promote equitable access to education for students with chronic conditions.