Under whose supervision do AP/UAPs commonly operate?

AP/UAPs, which stand for unlicensed assistive personnel and nursing assistants, typically operate under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). This relationship is crucial because the RN is responsible for patient assessments, developing care plans, and ensuring that the care delivered meets the standards of safe practice. The RN delegates specific tasks to the AP/UAP, providing guidance and oversight to ensure that the care provided aligns with established protocols and the overall care objective for each patient.

In this collaborative model, RNs are able to effectively manage their workload by assigning routine tasks, such as bathing, feeding, and basic monitoring of vital signs, to AP/UAPs, while retaining accountability for patient outcomes. This delegation allows the healthcare team to function more efficiently and improves patient care by enabling RNs to focus on more complex nursing tasks that require professional judgment and skill.