How does one become charge?

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

Is it wrong that I actually want to be Charge some day? Granted, I want to wait until I have a couple years of experience, but the role seems quite fitting for me.

soulofme · Sep 7, 2008

I'm a new nurse, but was wondering, how does one become charge or team leader?

When the CM puts a C by my name 4 x's a week....

mpccrn, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

i must be missing something. what's the big deal about being charge??? i've done it usually with a full assignment lots and lots of times. it's not a big deal :smokin:

Vito Andolini · Sep 7, 2008

I wish that was the case in anywhere I worked. When I was a new grad I was working the floor one night and the charge called in and the other nurse on was from Canada and this was right after 9/11 and she couldn't cross the bodrer. I was the only nurse from my floor on and from then on I had rotated into charge. I was off orientation for only about 3 weeks and I was scared out of my mind. I was on a 32 bed unit and had 10 patients of my own and one aide. The 2 nurses that were floated there were awesome and helped me a lot with their experience.
I ended up being charge within weeks of orientation again at my present facility as well becasue the charge called in and I had been charge before in other facilities.
I DESPISE being in charge.
I wouldn't mind so much if we really were in charge and had an actual say when it comes to staffing and such.

Exactly. Plus, a Charge Nurse should not have any of her own patients, or maybe only a couple of very light ones.

duck_1978 · Sep 7, 2008

To the MPCCRN.....I haven't been an RN for 30 years so it is a big deal! Try to think back when you were fresh out of school....were you prepared to be a charge nurse? Maybe you, but not me.....being a new RN doesn't make you a charge nurse.

4theBetterGetter, RN · Sep 7, 2008

why oh why would you want to?? as one poster stated...when the charge nurse calls in sick....that is how i got thrown into charge position. like i told my boss ....i have seen the job, done the job and i don't want the job!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 7, 2008

I'm a new nurse, but was wondering, how does one become charge or team leader?

Many times, it happens by default. It can happen at any given time...be ready.

RN and Mommy · Sep 7, 2008

On my unit, the charge nurse is someone who is basically considered a resource person. Someone who is knowledgeable about not only patient care, but also policies, staffing issues, and the physician preferences.

When they are looking for a new charge, the current charge nurses are asked who they think would be a good candidate. Then the person is asked if they are interested.

I have been on my unit over 6 years now. Just 2 of those years as an RN. I was asked to be charge right before I hit my 2 year mark as a nurse. Right now, I am just filling in but when there is a full time position open I will be next in line for it.

justavolunteer · Sep 7, 2008

I am 'justavolunteer' on a pt. unit. I think the way they pick charge nurse at my hospital is put the RN's in a room & count to three. The last one out the door after that has to be charge nurse. Not really, but I know a lot of nurses who get the job don't want it.

november17, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

On my unit the manager picks the charge RNs by the ones who have strong people skills, initiative, and good time management. It's really not that big of a deal though, because most of the RNs where I work fit all of the above. There are a few that refuse to do it because they don't like the extra responsibility that comes with the job - They'd rather keep their role as staff nurse. That's fine too. We rotate who does it so the same person doesn't have to be charge every single time they work.

i must be missing something. what's the big deal about being charge??? i've done it usually with a full assignment lots and lots of times. it's not a big deal

It really depends on the unit you work on, I think.

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

i must be missing something. what's the big deal about being charge??? i've done it usually with a full assignment lots and lots of times. it's not a big deal

Try doing charge with 2 vented patients on dirps, no aide, no clerk. You are still expected to help out. EVERYONE and their mother comes to you and they want YOU to solve their problem. Some really despise being in charge like tonight I really don't want to go in becuase I am going to be in charge.

They can give someone esle the extra measley dollar an hour for being in charge it isn't worth it to me.

I also agonize over making a fair assignment. But no matter what I do no one is happy especially if they had the same assignment yesterday, and I gave it back to them. If they tell me it was too hard and I change it they complain as well. Some days I just can't win. So I don't want to deal with all the drama.

I don't mind being a resource. I just don't want everyone calling my spectalink and asking where is the aide? I need the aide to sit with my patient, I need this, fix my computer NOW. Kinda hard to do your own work when no one will leave you alone to get your own patients needs and wants taken care of.

november17, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

I also agonize over making a fair assignment. But no matter what I do no one is happy especially if they had the same assignment yesterday, and I gave it back to them. If they tell me it was too hard and I change it they complain as well. Some days I just can't win. So I don't want to deal with all the drama.

The other day I had one nurse complain because she didn't have any discharges and wouldn't be getting any admits - she was bored. The very next day, 24 hours later, the same exact nurse was complaining because she had discharges and admits and was feeling overwhelmed. You really can't make everyone happy all the time.