Charge nurse advice

[idonthaveaphd]

I am new to Charge position and would love anyone who has experience as Charge if they could share advice as to what objective/tasks of Charge is? And tips for staying organized and motivating staff. I am not afraid of getting dirty, helping staff with patients, whether toileting duties or helping settling admits and i truly want to be a good charge for my floor so any advice/tips/etc will be greatly appreciated

thanks:)

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We don't take an assignment as charge nurse so we are a bit more free. I always went around once an hour to make sure everyone was okay, see if they needed help. You will get a routine down. After we did report I would check my staffing for the next shift, write out names for assignments, make sure things were stocked, admission areas set up. Also, people skills....always remember you catch more flys with sugar than vinegar! Never lose your temper and if you need to, make sure you need to address something with someone, take it to a private area. Also, if someone has had a really bad night, always pick out a positive or say you did great tonight, I'm sorry it was so bad. People will respect you if you respect them!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

NICUGal.....Way to go!

No Whining, No gossip! not by you or anybody else

Lead by example

Get your hands dirty :)

Respect is a two way street. :w00t:

Always say please and Thank You. :tku:

Can I help you? are magic words. :anpom:

They are all OUR patients :thankya:

Praise the good, show ways to improve the not so good....and if you have to criticize NEVER do it publicly.

[46oldnewrn]

I could not have said it better than Esme12. Always treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.

[Maggie09]

Good grief, where were you all when I was a staff nurse on the floor??? Kudos for chipping in and being USEFUL instead of a nice, well-manicured "ornament." Hence why I now work in the ED...a lot more teamwork there than on the majority of the floors. At least in my hospital, lol.