Another Forced into Charge Role

Nurses General Nursing

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The post by ICU Becky was so timely for me, b/c now I am being forced into the charge nurse role (called "Lead Nurse" where I work). I have up to this time loudly proclaimed that I would quit my job before I do lead. They have left me alone until now.

Suddenly and unexpectedly, one of our "experienced Lead RNs" has announced she is leaving for another job, and it seems our floor REALLY needs another dayshift lead.The choice is down to me (3 yrs experience), or a "new" RN with only 3 mos. experience. So, obviously I have to do it. I don't feel ready to do this! I feel like just a fledgling with a measley 3 years experience on tele/renal floor. Everyone is trying to pump me up, and say I will do great, but I don't feel that confident. I work day shift, and our floor is absolutely insane at the desk. They are offering me a "lengthy" orientation of 1 week. What kind of orientation did most of you get?

I am just dreading it! ;-( I know my coworkers will Bitc* about their assignments, and admissions (b/c they do that already) and I hate having to fend off admitting, who are like agressive telemarketers (they call ALL the time). I feel like I don't have enough experience to do this.

Some of the nurses working the floor have more experience (ie floats from other depts, LVNs who've worked the floor for 8+ years). I guess these are normal feelings, after reading ICUBecky's post. I'm only going to get a measly $12/shift for the added responsibility.

On the plus side, I know it might be challenging for me, and I will learn tele better, and prioritizing/delegation. I know it will look good as far as experience goes. I don't really want to quit my job, so I probably will have to do this. I wish I wasn't so scared! I haven't felt like this since I was a new grad, first day on the job!

Please wish me luck, I'm going to need it. :eek:

Specializes in Pediatric Rehabilitation.

I feel your pain. Well over a year ago, we had a lead nurse quit. The position has never been officially filled, so the responsibility is left to the experienced RN's. That's me and one other nurse, we alternate days if we're working the same night. The frustrating part of our situation is that we have all the responsibility, but none of the authority. We are responsible for staffing, but can't authorize employee's requests for schedule changes (there is another official lead nurse on the shift that does this, but she only works three days a week, so much of the staff never sees her). Also, since the staff knows we're not official, they are a bit more apt to bit#* about their assignment, etc. We get $12/shift extra when in charge, but that is not equivalent to what the official lead gets. Both of us are interested in this position, but the Head has not seen fit to fill. I felt like it was because he had it made. Why appoint one when you can get two for the price of one? Last week, though, in a conversation with the HN, he told me he wanted to put me in this position, but because of having one year seniority over me the other nurse looked better on paper. The other is minority, so the HN fears a discrimination suit if he appoints anyone else. The other nurse has the years, but is a pathetic nurse, the staff has no respect for this nurse and everyone knows it..including the HN. So, essentially, I'm being discriminated against..in a round-about way. Sad.

Oh well..I've vented, now. Thanks for listening.

Thank you each & all for your comments! So many great replies.

True, I would rather not do "lead," but then again, I feel I should at least give it a shot before I condemn it . I know it would be a good chance to learn, if nothing else. I spoke w/ our floor's nurse manager about my concerns. So, my manager has been forewarned... if I get hypertensive & tachy like COMIC RN, then my days as lead will be numbered. ha ha ;-) (Thanks COMIC RN, for the suggestions).

ICU Becky- good job on standing your ground! I'm impressed! I'll keep those useful tips in mind. To everyone else-I appreciated all your comments...even the ones that suggested I tell them to take a flying leap, so to speak. Ha ha!! But I will at least try this thing out. I'll try anything once (almost). Yep, that was $12/ per SHIFT, not per hour.

Tomorrow I may have my first day of orientation as Lead (if we are staffed for it, that is). I'll give it a few weeks until I decide how I like it. Shoot, it took me close to a year to get a handle on working as a floor RN (and still fine tuning that one). ;-)

~Kona

Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, Cardiac ICU.

Kona,

You go after it! I think 3 years experience is a good amount and time to do charge. No kidding, you will feel like a newbie a bit but I think you will also surprise yourself by all that you already handle and know how to do.

Make yourself one of those timelines that we all hated to do in school. It will actually be a good reminder of the new responsibilities you have. As you gain experience in this new role, you will develop a rhythm that keeps things on track.

Remember, don't take the b****ing personally. Remind yourself that you are doing the job to the best of your ability and are doing your best to be fair to everyone.

Mustang,

It's not easy in this market to find other nurses to hire. We've had relief charge positions in our hospital open for over 6 months. :eek:

We are just getting a lead RN to our floor for dayshift. This person is responsible for handling bed assignments and being the staff go to person for skills never done before etc, etc. Each shift though is assigned a charge RN. This person only has to have had a year experience. We rotate this role the people who are better at it have the role more often, i think. NO EXTRA MONEY for being BIT**ed at regarding assignments or beds when the lead RN isn't there. When I am charge on my tele unit. I stay in touch with the other RN's that I am working with. Sometimes, you can work with 5 stable patients and take another, sometimes you are running with 3 critical patients. I try to rotate admissions to the best of my ability.

Most of all..........You can't please everyone all the time.

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