Purpose
The purpose of this descriptive, exploratory study was to (1) measure RNs’ and NAs’ reports of missed
nursing care and reasons for missed care, (2) identify factors related to successful delegation as reported by RNs and NAs, and (3) describe nurse managers’ (NMs’) reports of missed care. This research followed an initial qualitative research study that used a focus group methodology to explore how 27 medicalsurgical nurses used critical thinking to delegate nursing care. These 27 nurses identified factors affecting successful and unsuccessful delegation, including frequent instances of routine nursing care omissions.