Head nurse

moonshadeau, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP, CNS · Jul 6, 2001

Our floor doesn't have a head nurse. We have a charge nurse but that position is rotating and the responsiblities only fall in the category of staffing and bed placement. No, I honestly don't think that the "head" nurse should have to stay after to always help out. There are those nurses that are chronically late in getting their work done. Why make another nurse suffer because one nurse can't manage their time effectively. Sure there are those days that you will run late. Ask for help from your coworkers especially if they are not busy. Most that I know are glad to help out. Sometimes, if I get an admission at the change of shift, I ask another nurse to spilt the work, the basic paperwork of an admission and the assessment. It seems to work out fairly decently. Another issue might be that is your head nurse being paid extra for this title and does her job description include staying over. Our charge nurses do not get paid extra, that might make a difference than in your situation.

just a thought

Q. · Jul 6, 2001

I agree. We also don't have a "head" nurse but a charge nurse that is a rotating obligation. And no, I don't think he/she should have to stay to help out with taking off orders, etc. When I am in charge, if I feel up to it, I may offer help in any way, but typically, it is the RN's responsibility who was taking care of the patient that night - not mine. I also have my own patient load to worry about.

kewlnurse · Jul 6, 2001

I love the "head" nurse.

georgia nurse · Jul 7, 2001

I'M A SHIFT SUPERVISOR [CHARGE NURSE, MANAGER,PT.CARE PROVIDER]. I FEEL IT IS VITAL TO SHOW SUPPORT TO THE STAFF BY DOING ALL I CAN TO HELP BEFORE I LEAVE. WE ARE A TEAM AND WE SINK OR SWIM TOGETHER.

georgia nurse · Jul 7, 2001

I'M A SHIFT SUPERVISOR (CHARGE NURSE, MANAGER, CARE PROVIDER). I FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO ALL I CAN TO HELP BEFORE I LEAVE. WE ARE A TEAM AND NO ONE LEAVES IF THERE IS ANY HELP WE CAN GIVE. GENERALLY, THIS HELPS TO GET US ALL OFF ON TIME.

georgia nurse · Jul 7, 2001

SORRY, COMPUTER WENT NUTS!

CaronRN58 · Jul 7, 2001

I have been charge nurse, now called clinical leader, for several years now and I have always felt that part of my responsibility is to pick up the slack and help in any way that I can. My patient load is usually smaller than the other nurses so that I can do just that, and also attend to my clinical leader duties. I always ask if I can help anyone before I leave the floor. I think that every one looks at their responsibilities differently.

CaronRN58

sandigapeachlpn · Jul 7, 2001

as shift supervisor/charge nurse, i feel an obligation to help the other nurses that might need assist. i have just as much of a patient load as they do, and i have to deal with all management issues, staffing, dietary, housekeeping, family complaint issues, etc. like one of the above posters stated, we are a team. one night one of our nurses on the unit couldn't leave for lunch because of short staffing. i went back and relieved him, stayed on his floor, and helped the aide answer call lights and put people to bed. it made me 30 minutes behind on my med pass at hs, etc. but i felt that he needed the support. i take pride in trying to smooth the way for the other nurses if i can. and lord knows when i need the help they are usually right there with me. :cool:

qje999 · Apr 6, 2005

as shift supervisor/charge nurse, i feel an obligation to help the other nurses that might need assist. i have just as much of a patient load as they do, and i have to deal with all management issues, staffing, dietary, housekeeping, family complaint issues, etc. like one of the above posters stated, we are a team. one night one of our nurses on the unit couldn't leave for lunch because of short staffing. i went back and relieved him, stayed on his floor, and helped the aide answer call lights and put people to bed. it made me 30 minutes behind on my med pass at hs, etc. but i felt that he needed the support. i take pride in trying to smooth the way for the other nurses if i can. and lord knows when i need the help they are usually right there with me.

I think that is great that you help out and that your a superviser. Where i work they dont work the unit. i think i only saw one supervisor help out on the unit for a hour, when someone was ill. they mainly make rounds and see there is staff to cover the units. I wish they were alittle more active on the units, especially when we are short handed.