Team Nursing - Functions of RN

Functions of RN

• In the team nursing RN functions as a team leader and coordinates the small group (no more than four or five) of ancillary personnel to provide care to a small group of patients.
• As coordinator of the team, the RN must know the condition and needs of all patients assigned to the team and plan for the individualised care for each patient. (Marquis and Huston, 2003)
• The team leader is also responsible for encouraging a cooperative environment and maintaining clear communication among all team members.
• The team leader’s duties include planning care, assigning duties, directing and assisting team members, giving direct patient care, teaching and coordinating patient activities.
• The team leader assigns each member specific responsibilities dependent on the role.
• The members of the team report directly to the team leader, who then reports to the charge nurse or unit manager.
• Communication is enhanced through the use of written patient assignments, the development of nursing care plans, and the use of regularly scheduled team conferences to discuss the patient status and formulate revisions to the plan of care.
• However, for team nursing to succeed, the team leader must have strong clinical skills, good communication skills, delegation ability, decision-making ability, and the ability to create a cooperative working environment.