How to be a good Charge Nurse?

annmariern · Jan 23, 2008

Don't be too nice; by that I mean don't let nurses pawn their jobs on you. You know the one's, who ignore stuff until it hits the fan and then deflect it. Leave someone in pain at change of shift, until they or the family are screaming at the station and their " in report" can you do it. They will do it every chance and burn you out. get a picture of the acuity level on the floor and then you know who needs your help and whos just crying wolf. If theres an issue with a nurse, take her aside and deal with it. If that doesn't work, write it up. Don't cover for them. It just makes it worse. Delegate, where possible and reasonable. Don't be afraid to roll up your sleeves and get in there when you need to; the good nurse will remember that you did & reciprocate one day. Don't expect to be liked. best Charge I ever had was tough, came to realize, you don't have to like them, but respect is so much more what I needed; and you know I did, learned so much. She was never afraid to say "your not up to par and this is why and this is what you need to do". I did it it and she was so right. Good luck its a tough job. Oh and dont take it personally when your the bad guy and you will be. Its just work at the end of the day.

vernRN · Jan 23, 2008

Delegate, be aware of everything happening on the unit, prioritize each situation & be prepared to pitch in when needed. Make sure the needs of the patients are being met.

oneLoneNurse · Jan 23, 2008

Don't micromanage.

Give tasks to those who know how to do them, find those who don't and train them. I think attitude is all important in employees. One thing to find something not done and/or poorly done, and find the employee doesn't care, another to find the employee doesn't know how to do it. I would sooner have an employee with a great attitude and needs training than one who knows everything and doesn't care. Course I don't work in CCU, ICU or the ED where knowing something might save a life.