What is a key characteristic of the team nursing model?

The team nursing model is characterized by a collaborative approach to patient care, where a registered nurse (RN) assumes a leadership role within a team of healthcare providers. In this model, the RN not only coordinates and oversees the care delivered to patients but also delegates specific tasks to licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs). This structure allows for a more efficient distribution of responsibilities, enabling each team member to work to their full scope of practice while ensuring comprehensive and personalized care for patients.

The delegation and leadership aspects of the RN within the team contribute to effective communication, enhance teamwork, and foster a more organized care environment, which can improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. This model emphasizes the importance of collaboration among different types of healthcare professionals, making it well-suited for diverse patient needs and complex care scenarios.

The other options do not accurately reflect the characteristics of team nursing. For instance, having a single nurse responsible for all patient care is more aligned with the primary nurse model rather than team nursing, which relies on shared responsibilities. Prioritizing cost over quality contradicts the fundamental goal of team nursing, which is to promote quality patient care through teamwork. Lastly, stating that pediatric care is the main focus would be