Charge Nurse question

[crystalNC]

So after being a nurse for a few years, I was told I need to train to charge. The trouble is that I don't seem to be able to schedule properly. I make staffing mistakes or I am way understaffed and cant fix it.

If you charge, how did you learn to staff? How long were you oriented to charge? Were you given a class on staffing? I feel so ineffective. My manager is aware.

[Argo]

Honestly, some people get it and like it, some don't. It's just the same as how some people like reading and writing while others enjoy math/science. I have done it most of my career, even going places having no plans of charging or scheduling, It usually gravitates to me after helping the person that does it. I also usually end up in a charge/manager position.

It is very basic. Make a graphic showing you the department needs if you don't have it and base it off of standards for the particular dept. I have to make my schedules 3 months out. Assign shifts using a basic desire of the staff and what they want to work. What vacation time is requested and approved. Usually giving them a little of what they want goes a long way in your favor. Lay all of this info out and have it in front of ou so ou can see it. I like to use a spreadsheet to layout out on a calendar I have made and use that prior to putting it in our computer scheduling system.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Are you referring to staffing or assignments? In most organizations, staffing is "by the numbers" depending on the patient census - usually there is a staffing matrix that has specifics about how many RN, LVN, CNA, etc... are appropriate for each census. I have never come across an organization in which this is the responsibility of a Charge Nurse.