Thoughts on new grad being made charge?

Nurses General Nursing

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I was in charge many shifts beginning around month six since some shifts I Was the most "experienced" RN or nurse period. I hated that. unfortunantly the other nurses were newer and did come to me with questions and the experienced lpns sometimes resented it and would mock " you are the charge" if i had questions.sometimes I would respond with a mature, " you do it then" bust mostly wanted to CRY.. it was a lot of pressure and stress. training was basically take care of staffing and good luck . then left to the wolves to deal with patient assignments and all sorts of issues. I did not choose it or want it! awful.

Specializes in Med/Surg,Cardiac.

My first real RN job (and pretty much my first job ever) was on a small med surg unit that got everything. Peds. Adults. Swing bed. Etc. I was the only RN and therefore the charge nurse. It was a terrible fit. Not only did I have no one to ask questions (although the LPN knew a lot - when I had one) but I was the one who had to make decisions about everything. Round with docs. Talk to all the other disciplines. I was utterly unprepared. It was a dangerous place. Even the very experienced nurses who worked other shifts commented about how stressful it was and complimented me on making it 6 months.

So no. I don't think charge nurse is a good fit for a new grad.

mwc1230

111 Posts

JUST got off orientation and will be the only RN. I have told them I do not feel it is safe nor do I feel comfortable, only to be met with jokes about "sink or swim". I don't even really know what I'm doing at this point so how can I make these decisions for others?!

MatrixRn

448 Posts

Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.

"Sink or swim" that is a helpful comment. Not.

It might be time to look elsewhere for a job, what they are expecting of you is too much.

joanna73, BSN, RN

4,767 Posts

Specializes in geriatrics.

I was in charge as a new grad, but I was up for the challenge. I had various similar clinical experiences and 15 years of leadership experience in other fields.

I also realized how important it was to utilize the strengths and ideas of the people I work with and learn from them. However, it wasn't easy and I would not suggest charge roles for new grads in general. This depends on the individual.

Almost 3 years later, I'm still at the same job. I've learned a lot.

newbieRN724

52 Posts

I graduated this past December, passed boards in January, found a job in February, had 9 days orientation. My second night by myself I was made supervisor because I was the only RN in the building. I work at a LTC and it was tough! It's still tough, I've said to over an over I didn't feel comfortable and I need to get used to what's expected of me and grow into my role. They agreed an I wouldn't be supervisor one weekend but the next I would be. I got the looks an an people talking bout me being new there an a new grad and being a supervisor. I don't know what's all expected of me as a supervisor. I was never oriented to be a supe. It's hard to deal with staffing and other issues while attending to your own residents an making sure your STNAs are still doing what they are supposed to. I'm not even sure how much of a responsibility I have when I'm supervisor. If something happens does it fall on me or the primary nurse? Idk. But I'm in search of a new job. :-)

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