Clinical with Charge Nurse

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Hi Everyone!

This is my first thread on allnurses, and I wasn't exactly sure where to put it :)

I'm a senior nursing student currently doing my practicum in a very busy Emergency Room. I have a clinical with the charge nurse this upcoming week, and am wondering if anyone can give me any advice on how to prepare for it.

I've asked others who have done this rotation, and for the most part I haven't received very much feedback from anyone and mostly I've been told to just show up. But I like to always do some level of preparation, especially since I'm hoping to be hired there and want to take initiative and be proactive and make a good impression. I'm looking for articles, tidbits of information, possibly any suggestions on what to research or ideas for relevant questions to ask so that I can come in prepared. I've been trying to think of pertinent questions/research but am struggling a bit.

I would also appreciate it if anyone can give me any insight as to the charge nurse's specific role so that I can come in not completely unaware. I've been meaning to ask my preceptors but we've been so busy that I've been forgetting to ask, and now I have my shift coming up. I've been able to do a small amount of observation when codes or traumas come in as far as their role in moving patients and getting a room ready, but I'm not sure what their role is when non critical patients are brought in.

Anyways, I know this is a very specific question, but thanks in advance if anyone can help me!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

In a perfect world, charge nurses don't have a patient assignment. They direct the flow of the ED and put out fires/troubleshoot issues. How large is the ED? What are your school's expectations of your practicum? Did they give you some guidelines or goals?

Welcome to allnurses! I hope you enjoy your ED time.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Hi Pixie.RN! Thank you so much for the reply! It's a pretty big ER. It's the only level I trauma center in three fairly big counties that serves about 75,000 adult patients a year, and about 26,000 children! It's very helpful to know that they usually direct the flow of the ED, thank you. Maybe I can look into the triage process or something before my shift? As far as the expectations for the practicum and guidelines, we do have them, but there's nothing specifically for the charge nurse shift, everything is regarding bedside nursing :) They're mainly about communication, advocacy, and skills. Do you feel that studying the triage process a little more before my shift would be helpful? I just try and spend some time preparing, even in the smallest way, before every shift. It would be very strange to not at least try to do some prep for this one, even though it probably won't be particularly helpful since I think I'm probably going to be shadowing more than anything. Especially if most of what they do is controlling the ER flow.

Thanks again, and thank you for the welcome to allnurses! :)

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Do you know which triage system they use? If it's the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), then there is a ton of information here: Emergency Severity Index (ESI): A Triage Tool for Emergency Department | Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality

Even if they use something besides ESI (not likely, it is widely used), it will be very helpful if you have an understanding of non-emergent vs. urgent vs. emergent vs. fixin' to die/being resuscitated. :)

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.

Pixie.RN responded with some of the exact thoughts that were running through my mind. The ESI handbook will definitely give you a good background on triage.

Also, if you go onto the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) website at ENA Homepage you can find lots of information of the position of ENA related to different issues. ENA is the authoritative body for emergency nursing in the USA. I would likely spend time on this site seeing what the issues are in emergency nursing. Overcrowding and violence in the ED are a couple of hot topics. Your knowledge of these issues could make for some good conversation.

ENA does have a triage position statement that will give you an idea of who should perform triage. Look this over https://www.ena.org/practice-research/Practice/Position/Pages/TriageQualifications.aspx

Often the charge nurse and triage nurse are in close communication. In a facility the size you're going to there is likely another person (or more) that helps with flow related to waiting room and ambulance patients as well.

Check out some of my blog posts on Allnurses under The Nurse Motivator. I am a passionate ED nurse and the suggestions I make in my blog come from my years in the ED. You may find some further ideas there. Let the charge nurse know you want to see as much as you can!

Have fun! Emergency nursing is never dull. Enjoy the journey!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Thank you both so much!

I took your advice and did a little bit of pre-reading, and the shift went so well! I had such a fun day :) Thank you so much for these resources, I really appreciate it! :)

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.
Thank you both so much!

I took your advice and did a little bit of pre-reading, and the shift went so well! I had such a fun day :) Thank you so much for these resources, I really appreciate it! :)

So glad you had a WONDERFUL day! The ED is a blast. Happy you got to experience some of that. Good luck with the rest of your schooling.

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