Key Concepts
Overview
Why delegation is heavily tested on REx-PN: The RPN/PN in Canada practices within a collaborative healthcare team. They must delegate appropriately to unregulated care workers (UCW/PSW) while retaining accountability, escalate to RNs and NPs when needed, and communicate effectively across the interprofessional team. The REx-PN tests whether the PN understands scope boundaries and communication standards in the Canadian regulated health professional framework. Key personnel the PN works with in Canada: - RN (Registered Nurse): Takes responsibility for complex, unstable, or newly diagnosed patients; leads care planning; the PN's direct clinical supervisor - RPN/PN (Registered Practical Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse): Provides direct care for stable patients; administers medications; reports to RN - PSW (Personal Support Worker) / UCW (Unregulated Care Worker): Provides personal care under PN/RN direction; cannot administer medications, perform assessments, or make clinical decisions - NP (Nurse Practitioner): Advanced practice; can diagnose and prescribe; the PN may receive orders from NPs - Physician: Ultimate prescriber for most medical orders; PN carries out physician orders within PN scope Core principle: Delegation transfers responsibility for a task, NOT accountability. The PN who...