Delegation in nursing management has four essential components:

1. Assignment of duties/tasks — specifying what needs to be done
2. Granting of authority — giving the nurse the power to act
3. Creation of accountability — the delegate is answerable for results
4. Retention of responsibility — the delegator (Head Nurse) remains ultimately responsible

Key principle: Responsibility cannot be fully delegated. A Head Nurse who delegates a task to a Charge Nurse still remains responsible for the outcome. Effective delegation improves efficiency and staff development.