Medication Administration in Nursing Homes: RN Delegation to Unlicensed Assistive Personnel

Medication administration in nursing homes is a complex process that requires careful oversight by registered nurses (RNs) to minimize risks of errors and adverse effects. However, the declining number of RNs in nursing homes requires RNs to delegate some aspects of medication administration to other nursing staff members, including unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Delegating medication administration allows RNs to focus on all aspects of the medication use process, including communicating with physicians about residents' conditions and medication therapy needs as well as assessing and evaluating residents' responses to medication therapy. With a carefully supervised delegation process, UAP should be able to administer medications safely, and RNs can oversee the complex needs of frail, vulnerable nursing home residents.