Charge Nurse question

[Lylesmom]

I am in my last term of school and one of the topics I have to write about is: list and discuss a minimum of 4 responsibilities of a team leader who is a registered nurse. I am pretty sure they are talking about a Charge Nurse. I know every hospital is different in what the charge nurse is responsible for and was hoping to get some feedback on this topic. thanks for your help!

[jbp0529]

At my place the charge does not take any patient assignment. He/she is responsible for helping the other nurses with tasks (IV starts, turning, ...), being someone to go to with questions, helping with admissions/discharges/transfers, helping the secretary answer phones, making sure we are staffed appropriately (ie enough nurses to patient ratios ). And then any miscellaneous things that may come up, like dealing with families, doctors, and so on. Hope this helps.

[lawsonnic]

Rn supervisor in the LTC facility where I work responsible for ...

admission orders

discharge planning and teaching

doctor notification

LPN and STNA supervision

STNA scheduling

all the IV's in the house since the LPN's are not permitted to do this

handle any emergencies that arise

writing and taking off doctors orders

[danggirl]

Hi! I've been an RN for 12 years, 8 of which I have served in the Charge capacity. Responsibilities of the CN vary by institution and much depends on whether they are "dedicated" charges ie no patient load or if they are in charge while having a patient load. I'll give you a short list of responsibilities but they are by no means all inclusive.

The CN acts as a resource to staff members providing information on policy and procedure, assisting with complex nursing questions or questions of care, provides extra physical assistance to any staff needing help, works to resolve conflict between staff members or between staff and patients.

The CN acts as a liason between staff, patients, families and physicians by facilitating complex case issues, interpersonal issues and interdepartmental issues.

The CN also monitors the overall flow of the unit ie screening appropriateness of admissions and transfers, patient-nurse assignments. Follows up to make sure important orders have been completed.

A good charge nurse will know her staff, their strengths and weaknesses and their style of nursing. She will also make an attempt to get to know something of all the patients. She should also be on excellent terms with the physicians but not at the expense of disrespecting her staff.

I could go on and on. If you have any specific questions, feel free to write to me. Thanks, Danielle.

[mosin46]

good answers. my .02 on the subject and a bit OT. a charge nurse on any patient care unit-floor,icu,er,or whatever should NEVER "take" patients,act as a clerk, social worker,cook or anything else. he/she should be there to run the unit,keep thing moving,be a resource,help get the job done,crack the whip when needed,put out fires and,unfortunately in today's hospitals,run interference for and protect the staff from HS from both above and below.

[caliotter3]

Regarded as the resident expert on all questions when others can not come to consensus. When not sure of course of action, seek advice from next up the chain in nursing department or orders from the doctor.

[rebekkah]

I am in my last term of school and one of the topics I have to write about is: list and discuss a minimum of 4 responsibilities of a team leader who is a registered nurse. I am pretty sure they are talking about a Charge Nurse. I know every hospital is different in what the charge nurse is responsible for and was hoping to get some feedback on this topic. thanks for your help!

please donot or underestimate patient safety is always always number 1 make sure nurse assigned to pt say med surg nurse who works pedi is floated to med surg floor you would give her an assignment that is relevant to her work experience

[gt4everpn, BSN, RN]

well as a charge nurse (lpn) in ltc, i review new and dc'd orders, restock the med cart, change tubing on feedings, monitor residents on 24hr report, etc... it seems like stuff a staff nurse ordinarily does, but at my facility there are two nurses per floor, a med nurse and a charge!