I was passed over as charge...given to new grad instead

NurseforPreggers · Oct 12, 2005

Hang in there! I just noticed what city you are from and it just so happens its the same as mine. So I better not say too much, because I'm quite sure I know where you work seeing as though there are only 3 hospitals here. Just keep your chin up. It does seem as if the management hasn't thought things through clearly. Same thing happened on my floor last year, new grad was made charge nurse. It didn't last long though, so maybe if you stick it out the situation may change.

fins · Oct 12, 2005

It could also be that she considered the night charge assignment as an unofficial part of orientation. She may even have thought that having an experienced nurse like you there made it safer for her to assign charge to a new grad. I wouldn't read too much into it until you really know why it was done. Where I work, night charge isn't a very important assignment - it's just added administrivia.

sjb2005 · Oct 12, 2005

I'd casually approach the educator/manager to inquire about there decision not to choose you. It could be you didn't fit in there agenda...If you get what I mean. I you like your job...Stay with it. If you'd rather pursue a higher responsibility in nursing...I'd look elsewhere. Good luck. Charge is'nt that great of a position. Shoot higher.

wolfnurse · Oct 12, 2005

That would be frustrating. You have the right to your feelings and they are understandable.

- I would talk with your manager in a diplomatic fashion about the situation. Was this graduate placed in the charge nurse role for just the experience of orientation or were there some other reason? It makes you wonder if they are placing her in charge if they are doing it to mold her to their philosphy of practice ( that is not always the best thing)

-Following your chain of command to express your concern and good documentation is essential.

-I find placing a brand new graduate in charge like that unacceptable! no offense to the individual. In my years in nursing someone new on a unit needs the time to grow professionally and develop. I feel they do not need the weight of the additional responsability untill they are ready. I do agree as a new orientee that the experience along with a seasoned nurse is a great opportunity, i feel that kicking a brand new grad out like that contributes to "eating our young" out of the profession.

Keep up the fight and Blessed BE

Wolfnurse

hrtprncss · Oct 12, 2005

Quick question....Are they aware that you'd like to be in a Charge Nurse position? And this new grad, has she been with the regular charge nurse for a shift so she knows how to handle the floor? If yes, then how about you? I'm sure you have charge nurse experience from your previous position, so most likely it's just miscommunication. I'm sure if you talk to your Nurse Educator or your NM then she'd be able to offer you that role also. I think it's really great that you're taking the initiative to be a charge nurse. Alot of nurses shy away from it. I sometimes just say ''please give me my two patients'' (and leave me be;) someone else can take charge).

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Oct 12, 2005

The nurse was still on orientation so it make s sense that she would be given a taste of the charge position before coming off. She had help so she wasn't actually THE charge nurse. I think you are getting worked up over what was a learning experience, and possibly will make yourself look bad by questioning why you didn't get charge. How would you feel about waiting to see what happens next, and casually mentioning to someone higher up how you'd like to do charge more often in the meantime.

jsteine1 · Oct 12, 2005

The professional approach to this situation would be to privately approach the person who ultimately made that decision, ask for a meeting. Grit your teeth here, but it can be incredibly effective:

I suggest that rather than put the decision maker on the defensive by asking "why" you werent chosen, try asking her "what do I need to do to earn your trust to the extent you would choose me to be the charge nurse?"

This changes the tone of the conversation from the supervisors having to basically outline your perceived weaknesses in her eyes to

Becoming your mentor and ally and giving you the inside on how these decisions are made.

gypsyatheart · Oct 12, 2005

The nurse was still on orientation so it make s sense that she would be given a taste of the charge position before coming off. She had help so she wasn't actually THE charge nurse. I think you are getting worked up over what was a learning experience, and possibly will make yourself look bad by questioning why you didn't get charge. How would you feel about waiting to see what happens next, and casually mentioning to someone higher up how you'd like to do charge more often in the meantime.

I agree completely. It doesn't sound like the new grad has been given a permanent charge position, so I'm not sure what the fuss is about. Everybody needs to get a taste of being charge because sooner or later, we all get stuck w/it. It also sounds like you have other issues w/management, so I'd figure out what was really bothering me, and try and fix that situation.... :coollook:

amurdock · Oct 12, 2005

I guess I need to clarify that the new grad who was given charge was not on orientation she is off. I guess the fact that she was asked to orient the other new grad bothered me a bit too. When she questioned the educator, the educator responded that there was no other option or choice, that she was the only one who could do it. Who wouldn't be offended?

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 12, 2005

The nurse was still on orientation so it make s sense that she would be given a taste of the charge position before coming off. She had help so she wasn't actually THE charge nurse. I think you are getting worked up over what was a learning experience, and possibly will make yourself look bad by questioning why you didn't get charge. How would you feel about waiting to see what happens next, and casually mentioning to someone higher up how you'd like to do charge more often in the meantime.

I have to agree.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2005

Let me suggest another prospective on this that you might not have considered. As this was a new grad perhaps the nurse educator assigned the new grad the charge nurse role so she would learn it and have experience at it. After all, how will she ever know how to do the charge nurse duties if she never has the opportunity? This might be something that was part of her new grad orientation that she just never got to.