Charge Nurse

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2017

Where I reside, long term care facilities (a.k.a. nursing homes) hire new grads into the charge nurse position. Basically, every floor nurse in LTC is a charge nurse since they are in charge of their hall, residents, and the CNAs assigned to that hall.

Since I started in LTC, I was a new grad charge nurse.

After securing employment at a specialty rehabilitation hospital several years later, I was offered the charge/RN house supervisor position about nine months later. Not everyone was offered charge or supervisory positions at this place; rather, they sought out articulate nurses with somewhat assertive personality types.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Apr 9, 2017

I think it can vary quite a bit. When I was working as a bedside RN in a Med-Surg Unit many years ago (average-sized suburban setting), the Charge Nurse role was rotated and new-ish nurses can be assigned as Charge Nurse but not new grads. I have worked in ICU's and ED's in larger academic settings and the Charge Nurses are designated as an actual position and only senior nurses get that designation (five years or more as far as experience). Their roles are more involved -- they triage who gets what patients based on the acuity and skill level of the each of the nurses, attend bed control meetings, coordinate timing of discharges and admissions with providers and the ED, act as a resource to newer nurses, gate-keeper for making sure nurses take their breaks on time, etc.

Sour Lemon · Apr 9, 2017

I've found that it varies quite a bit, as well. At a hospital where the charge nurse has little responsibility, anyone six months in or more might be assigned the role. Where I'm at now, the charges have a lot more responsibility and typically 20+ years of experience. They are hired specifically as leaders and rarely work the floor with their own assigned patients.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Apr 9, 2017

Of course it was 1972, I graduated from my hospital based diploma school at 11am on a Saturday, and worked the 3-11 shift as charge in CCU.....as a GN, But my last clinical rotation, was nine full weeks for charge experience, in CCU, I spent three weeks on each shift , at two times on eve shifts I managed two codes, without a RN being on unit, just some very competent LVNs....both were successful..... I felt confident, back in those days, diploma schools provided tons of clinical exposure....I do realize my story is totally not revelation, to today's nursing school programs......

a a few weeks later, got married and moved to Memphis.....went to work in CCU at what is now called The Med (city of Memphis Hospital) back then, I did charge as GN, even a few weeks before passing my boards.....in their CCU...... I know that is ancient history.....but I preformed quite well.....maybe I was to naive to be intimidated....but the old diploma programs, gave us clinical experience to hit the floors running...

and and yes at 68yr. Age I'm still working full time, in a physician clinic (easier on old backs and bones)...

LovingLife123 · Apr 9, 2017

As a newer nurse with just a little over 2 years experience, I would not want to be a charge yet. I still need more experience before jumping into any type of leadership role. There is so much to know. Most, if not all, of the charge nurses on my unit have at least 5 years of nursing experience. Maybe not on our unit, but at least that much nursing.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Apr 10, 2017

You will be told to assume charge nurse duties, when the needs of the unit require you to do so.

Your job description will state " and other duties as required". You will not have a choice.

Charge is a grey area, where your responsibilities will vary greatly. It will be what you make of it.

Best wishes with your career.

RainMom · Apr 10, 2017

I started charging at 3 months in on night shift, (ortho) usually one shift per 2 week pay period. This was solely based on the fact that for that particular shift, I was the one with the most experience. I would dread each of those shifts for the first few months. But after a while, it wasn't so bad although still stressful. You learn quickly to ask the supervisor for help or even consult with charges on other units for advice. By the time I had been there about 18 months, I almost always charged, even when the more senior nurses were there, because they were burnt out with it & preferred not to (but they were excellent resources).

That was just how it worked out for me. I know of others who were barely off orientation & placed in charge. Likewise, there are some I know who had about a year experience before placed in charge. On night shift, odds are a new nurse will find themselves charging much sooner than a new nurse on days/evenings.

cleback · Apr 10, 2017

First job out of nursing school-- first shift off orientation. HUGE red flag. The policy was that a charge nurse have 2 years experience before being charge... but they couldn't retain staff long enough to adhere to their own policies.

My second job--2 years before I was charge... much more reasonable but still challenging on an IMC.

Don't rush it. Personally, although it was nice to be able to help out coworkers as charge, I preferred focusing on patient care. Also, if you have to make patient assignments or give admissions --it sucks... no one is ever happy. Enjoy your time learning and interacting with patients.

Cricket183, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2017

I had been a RN for right at a year when I started charging. I worked inpatient oncology and my clinical manager started asking me about it after I had been there for about 8 months. I somewhat reluctantly agreed (I didn't really feel ready.) It took a few months for me to get my ACLS, chemo certification, PICC line/port certified, etc which were requirements for the charge position.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2017

My job starts pushing people to do charge after they've been with us for two years or so. I think I started right at the two year mark.

Charge is a joke here. We have a full patient load just like everyone else - we also just get pestered with everyone else's problems. Oh, and there's no differential.

It's worth it to me just to be able to pick my own assignment. Most charges on the previous shift are good at telling the oncoming charge which patients have the craziest families, so it's totally worth the lack of a differential and being pulled in fifty different directions at once just to be able to cherry pick my assignment. I usually give myself the sickest patients in my section that don't have crazy families. Wards of the state, if I can find them, are my first choice.

chacha82, ADN, BSN · Apr 10, 2017

Where I work, you have to be full-time for at least two years before they train for charge. They do not ask everyone, you have to be invited.