charge nurses

[mediatix8]

On our last schedule, we saw a note from our manager saying that from now on the charge nurse will take no new admissions and will only get 4 patients on days and evenings and 5 patients on nights. We rotate who is charge nurse and usually the same 2-3 people are it because they've been there the longest. I heard that this is to reduce overtime. The charge nurse is supposed to help us with their free time. I was wondering what everyone thought about this as today's day shift has 7 patients each while the charge nurse had 4. Is there any evidence that this reduces overtime or helps anything?

[TazziRN, RN]

I don't know about the answer to your specific question, but at my previous facility the charges never took a load for that very reason unless there was absolutely no choice because of staffing. At this facility, when we had charges (we don't anymore) they took a smaller load because the charge so as to be able to help out.

[zacarias, ASN, RN]

Can't answer that question unless I know what the charge's specific role on your unit is.

I personally think that on most floors the charge should not have a patient load.

Just thought of that as a question on an interview. Next time I am interviewed by a NM for a job somewhere, I will ask "Does the charge nurse take patients?"