Should nurses be forced to take charge against their will?

danissa, LPN, LVN · Dec 30, 2006

years ago, as a new midwife, I was charge in postnatal ward. at the time there was myself and a new Sister midwife, who supposedly,on opposite shifts from me, had responsibility. Most times she banged the office door shut and sat crying or shouting! i used to work well on past my time to make sure things were aok for her coming on, or have to pick up the pieces after she went off! we have team midwifery, so had to make sure that if the teams were busy in labour ward, their patients were covered. When I look back, I give myself a big pat on the back, as I did a good job and the ward ran smoothly because of my extra slog!

Now, in the NICU, I have only been in charge a fewtimes, it's a whole different ball game, and I feel that in an environment like the NICU, I want the most experienced person on that shift to be in charge. in my first job, that was the post I accepted, I knew that was what would be expected of me, but now I would feel that you should not be forced to take charge against your will. Who is left happy, confident or fullfilled by this? certainly not the nurse, or I would imagine the rest of the shift!:uhoh21:

withasmilelpn · Jan 3, 2007

Maybe having to be charge shouldn't be part of the job requirement? No offence, I think saying that because nurses recieved training regarding a charge role does not mean they would be good at it. We all recieved training in OB. I don't know about you, but I am not cut out to be an OB nurse.

We as nurses are first people, blessed with a variety of talents and shortcomings. We should work in the capacity that suits us (and our patients). Nursing is stressful enough.

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2007

Maybe having to be charge shouldn't be part of the job requirement? No offence, I think saying that because nurses recieved training regarding a charge role does not mean they would be good at it. We all recieved training in OB. I don't know about you, but I am not cut out to be an OB nurse.
We as nurses are first people, blessed with a variety of talents and shortcomings. We should work in the capacity that suits us (and our patients). Nursing is stressful enough.

Very true. I wish some of the staff I work with could see your viewpoint. There are people, beyond the world of nursing, who are leaders and there are people who are followers.

That is not to say that those who are followers are not intelligent, highly motivated people. It is just saying that there are those who are better and more comfortable at following than leading. Most of the "followers" will agree wholeheartedly that they don't like to be in charge. I don't understand why it would be forced upon them.

Just because you aren't comfortable in being the charge nurse, doesn't mean you aren't qualified for it.

scrubsnhugsRN · Jan 4, 2007

this is a big issue right now where i work. we do not recieve any compisation related to being charge. right now the most experienced nurses on the floor are saying they refuse to be charge. so on day shift there are only three nurses who have been rotating charge. i think part of the reason is no compensation for more responsibility, more work, and stress. i personally dont do charge because i am new nurse, but i do recognise why they are refusing. we are not unionized so that doesnt play a role.

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2007

We get a whopping extra $1 per hour for being in charge.

EmerNurse, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2007

Buck an hour here too! 12 bucks a shift for all that extra grief just isn't worth it, that's for sure!

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2007

Buck an hour here too! 12 bucks a shift for all that extra grief just isn't worth it, that's for sure!

I work in the ER too! If they increased the charge RN pay, to let's say $5 extra per hour, I might enjoy it more! :lol2:

SandraDeeRN · Jan 13, 2007

Where I work, the unit director decides on who can be in charge on the off shifts. I have been a nurse for two years and was in charge six months after I started there. There are nurses I work with who have over 20 years of experience and refuse to take charge. I think it depends on your personality and how sure of yourself you are. Some people just don't like the role of the leader and would rather not do it and I think those type of people shouldn't be in charge then.

elizabeth321 · Jan 13, 2007

I am not talking about taking a day charge position...I am talking about doing charge on shift or on the weekend or occassionlly to cover the regular charge on days.....I think nurses glorify charge....if someone freaks out at being in charge they likely are not coping well in their other roles...you may not want to be an OB nurse once you graduate but whatever you decide to do...you need to grow to do all roles that are required in that particular specialty. It makes for a healthier work place all the way around...IMHO

Liz

CHATSDALE · Jan 13, 2007

if you don't want to take a turn at charge because of the added stress etc are you being fair to fellow nurses who may feel the same way...if you don't like it at least qualify yourself . you never know when you will come to work and the other nurses are your junior in seniority or if theyy also refuse to work in that postion

lee1 · Jan 15, 2007

hi everyone!
this is my first time posting here and i wanted to say that i'm glad i found this forum. this seems to be a great way to share support and information, and i look forward to reading many more of your posts.
i was curious to know how everyone feels about staff nurses being forced into the role of taking charge. not neccessarily brand new nurses, but nurses who have had at least 2 - 3 years experience on a particular unit, but simply desire to remain in the staff nurse position without the added stress and responsibility of taking charge.
i feel that it's not always the # of years of experience, or level of clinical skill that automatically qualifies one for the role of charge nurse. some people by nature are more assertive, handle stress better, and adapt well to leadership positions. others do not.
what does everyone think about this? rc

in my facility charge nurse must be rotated. you must also take a charge nurse orientation and be at least experienced enough to be able to take charge. at least, in my opinion, 1 year experience should be necessary.

now, the big thing is that when you are in charge it is of a whole unit generally. soooo, how many patients are you also personally responsible for? do you not have any patients, or the lightest assignment which can be how many???????

SandraDeeRN · Jan 17, 2007

In my facility charge nurse must be rotated. You must also take a charge nurse orientation and be at least experienced enough to be able to take charge. At least, in my opinion, 1 year experience should be necessary.
Now, the big thing is that when you are in charge it is of a whole unit generally. SOOOO, how many patients are you also personally responsible for? Do you NOT have any patients, OR the lightest assignment which can be HOW MANY???????

Where I work you do not get extra orientation to be in charge. If you're in charge you still have a full patient assignment which is about 6 patients and if one of the LPN's are working, you need to cover them so it's almost like having 12. We do not have the staff to allow us not to have an assignment while being in charge, unfortunately.