Successful assignments require attention to the needs of both nurses and patients.

Takeaways: 

• Making nurse-patient assignments is challenging but rewarding. 
• Nurse-patient assignments are created based on knowledge and understanding of nursing unit environment, nurse qualities, and patient characteristics. 
• Clinical nurses are vital resources for critical changes in patient status. 
• Nurse-patient assignments should be frequently reassessed and changed as needed to ensure continuous, safe, quality nursing care.

By Stephanie B. Allen, PhD, RN, NE-BC