Which outcome is directly associated with effective delegation in nursing?

The outcome associated with effective delegation in nursing is that it increases the professional skills of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). When nurses delegate tasks appropriately, they provide UAP with the opportunity to take on more responsibilities and develop their skills in a supervised and supportive environment. This process not only enhances the competency of UAP but also empowers them, fostering a greater understanding of their role in patient care.

Effective delegation involves appropriately distributing tasks based on the skill sets and competencies of team members, which can lead to improved teamwork and better patient outcomes. As UAP become more skilled, they can contribute more effectively to the nursing team, handling specific tasks efficiently and allowing nurses to focus on more complex care aspects that require their expertise.

This outcome does not correlate with increased costs of care, reduced accountability for nurses, or higher patient turnover rates, as those scenarios involve challenges that effective delegation seeks to mitigate rather than promote. Thus, the increase in the skills of UAP is a direct and positive result of successful delegation practices within nursing teams.