Applying for Charge Nurse

SCRN1 · Dec 17, 2006

At our hospital, the ONLY requirement is to have an RN after your name and the one who's been there the longest is usually the one who's in charge that shift. For only 50 cents/hr extra for being in charge, I'd personally rather not have the extra work being charge nurse brings.

To answer your question though, have you had any leadership type of experience even though it may not have anything to do with nursing? You could probably use that as they may be interested in someone who knows how to handle people and being a leader.

obliviousRN · Dec 17, 2006

We have to have the following:

1. demonstrated excellent time management skills

2. demonstrated excellent and appropriate delegation skills

3. ability to interact well with others, including in a high stress environment and with those who you may not always agree

4. mediation skills

etc.

I would stress your ability to perform these functions and the realization of how important they are.

Good luck!

RoxanRN · Dec 17, 2006

Thanks for the thoughts and comments!!

To answer your question though, have you had any leadership type of experience even though it may not have anything to do with nursing? You could probably use that as they may be interested in someone who knows how to handle people and being a leader.

Aside from relieft charge, I spent time in the military as a junior NCO (rank = E4). I've also been the 'leader' (aka ranking person) on an ambulance for many years.

We have to have the following:
1. demonstrated excellent time management skills
2. demonstrated excellent and appropriate delegation skills
3. ability to interact well with others, including in a high stress environment and with those who you may not always agree
4. mediation skills
etc.
I would stress your ability to perform these functions and the realization of how important they are.
Good luck!

Again, I HAVE to used these skills in my current job. I've also used these them extensively in the military as well as on a ambulance, especially nos. 1, 2, and 3!

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Dec 18, 2006

At our hospital, the ONLY requirement is to have an RN after your name and the one who's been there the longest is usually the one who's in charge that shift. For only 50 cents/hr extra for being in charge, I'd personally rather not have the extra work being charge nurse brings.
Do people really want to charge?
Same thing where I work,...the two of us who have been there the longest take turns being in charge,..50 cents/hr,...way more work than 50 cents can compensate for!! I wasn't even asked if I wanted to charge!

gitterbug · Dec 18, 2006

Good luck, you sound like an excellent candidate for the position.