Charge Nurse

Published

Did any of you get trained to be a charge nurse or were you just thrown to the dogs like I hear many other nurses were ?

Also, on night shifts (med surg) does your charge nurse have a full group of pts?

Specializes in OB/Neonatal, Med/Surg, Instructor.

I was hired out of school for night charge and have always carried a full load in OB or Mother/Baby. There was a charge nurse class but we never had time to go so it was OJT and trial and error. Our charge pay is $2/hr, up from .50 not too many years ago. Our med/surg unit charge nurses have to take patients when the census gets too high (>1:12) in addition to acting as house supervisor, pharmacy, central supplies, and security on evening and nights (locking and unlocking doors), not fun!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thrown to the dogs.

I got about a 10 minute "charge nurse for dummies" pep talk. I've asked for formal training, but they say "just call the nurse supervisor if you have problems." This was after being a nurse for only 5 or 6 months. Basically, they will throw you into it when they're desperate, when all the seasoned nurses are off, especially around the holidays. At night, charge nurses on my floor have 5 pts. No extra pay.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It depends on the specific unit.

When I was hired for my current job I was a newish nurse(1 year experience) surrounded by veteran nurses with 10+ years of experience. I went almost 2 years without having to be in charge. Even when I was charge nurse, I had a lighter assignment and the experienced staff needed only a little help.

Now the unit size has doubled. The charge nurse does not take an assignment. There is a charge nurse class they take, but most learning is an on the job affair.

My unit is lucky to have enough senior nurse to be in charge so nobody is oriented to charge before they are able to handle the assignment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

I got a few days orientation and that was all. Being a nurse on the floor gave me a good foundation to be able to do charge. My first job we had a full load of patients on night shift, but my current job the ideal of for the charge to have a much smaller load of patients, usually 2-4 patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Medicine.

I have never been charge, but every charge nurse I've spoken to about it said they were never oriented to being a charge nurse, they just walked in one day and were told they were going to be it for the night. And unfortunatly, they do have a full load in addition to their charge nurse duties.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

When I was a grad I was made charge nurse for a ward. I had only been working there for 2 months, 6 months of being an RN in total. They made me charge because there was no one else around and I was the most 'experienced' nurse there. I had another grad RN with less experience than me, two Enrolled nurses (LPN) and a couple of students. One of the first things I did was ring the after hours nurse manager, explained my situation and concerns to cover my butt. To her credit she did not send me any new admissions from ER. We did ok and I will always remember how we all pulled together this shift, the nursing student were invaluable to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

I was thrown to the wolves the first time-I had been a nurse all of 6 months. They told me I didn't do a bad job, but there were other nurses that were PO'd that I was in charge. It wasn't my idea, trust me! I got no support, people would get mad if I asked questions...

I left that facility, and took a job in my current facility. I was not aware it was a charge position, this was never mentioned in either of the 2 interviews I had and was not listed in the job description.. However, my boss has been good about realizing that in many ways, I am still a rookie nurse. I get support and backup when I need it.:up:

I do still circulate a room though-I have to carry a cell phone if someone wants to book a case etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Our first shift charge nurse does't have any patients, maybe one at times. Second and third shift charge nurse takes full patient load, and we get paid a whole 25 cents an hour woohooo we are going to get rich off that pay lol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trama surgery and ER.

I took a CN position on my trauma med/surg floor 2+ months ago and there was no orientation. I wish there was a general hospital orientation for the CH role, but I didn't really need it for my floor since I've been here 2+ years.

It's not been a great experience so far for various reasons, but I'm not sure an orientation would have made much difference.

I generally don't take patients, but I do alot of patient care, and I will take a new admit if we're having one of our "bad" nights and whomever is supposed to get the patient already has alot going.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My facility had an excellent ed. dept. I was sent immediately to management classes when I was appointed charge nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

I too was "thrown to the wolves" Christmas day. I had been an RN for 14 months. I then got trained a full 2 weeks. I work day shift. We do not take pts on day shift but night shift sometimes ends up with a full load of 7 pts. They tried to give me a couple pts one day and I refused stating they could find themselves a new charge nurse and put me back on the floor. I only make a dollar more an hour and its not worth all that extra responsibility on my license. Luckily my nurse manager agrees with me. She will come in and charge and put me on the floor if need be. I have been charging for about 8 months now. I do more then assign beds though....I am responsible for the assignments, assigning beds, checkcing orders, rounding with the doctors, discharges, assisting all my staff regardless of CNA or RN, trouble shooting, rapid responses, difusing situations, I am the one the doctors come to when something isnt done or not done the way they want it done, I need to know what is going on with all the pts on the floor, critical labs, family issues, social work/case management issues, etc...I am quite busy. And at the end of the shift...I am still sitting there trying to finish my orders while everyone else has gone home. It is not as easy charging as it looks to be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

Our charge on day or night shift will take patients if we are bogged, also charge ends up being secretary too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion