LPN charge nurse position

[futurenurseOB]

I have an interview tomorrow for a charge nurse position. I'm a newly liscenced nurse this will be my first jib as a LPN. I have 3 1/2 years exp as a CNA.

If selected I'll receive 2 months orientation and more if needed

I'm very nervous but I NEED this job. I have mouths to feed....any advice?

Finally a nurse...All for my three♡♡♡

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

What type of setting were you hired into? I assume this is a SNF/nursing home, because most other settings do not hire new grads directly into the charge nurse role. Then again, a 2-month orientation is awfully generous for a nursing home, so I am still wondering.

Anyhow, if this is a nursing home, you will have the fancy title of 'charge nurse' without really being in charge of anything except your residents and the CNAs who work with you. It is really the unit managers, ADON and DON who are 'in charge.'

Nursing homes in parts of the US tend to give floor nurses the titles of 'charge nurse' or 'nursing supervisor' because anyone with a supposedly managerial position cannot be admitted into a union.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

Two months of orientation really is quite generous by LTC/SNF standards. So that's a plus.

And I agree that the "charge nurse" title in LTC can be misleading. More often than not, you're the "charge" nurse simply by virtue of being the "only" nurse. Your role will be a bedside floor nurse, not really an administrative role.

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

It depends...is this a Charge Nurse of a unit? Probably not, if you're brandy new. In my nursing home the charge nurse is more like a unit manager, on the day shift. All the grunt work, paperwork, dealing with families, going to meetings, writing new orders, working with the doctor.

If that person whether it's Charge nurse or unit manger, they go home at 3:00. On the evening and night shifts, an LPN called "charge nurse" is the only nurse or the most experienced on the floor . The charge nurse in that situation would pass meds, chart, answer phones, be in charge of the CNA's deal with emergencies, send people out, etc etc etc....with an RN supervisor somewhere in the building to respond if you need them.

The second one is most likely what you're interviewing for. Best of luck, and do not take a job you don't feel ready for! Been there done that and it is not pretty!

Namaste

[futurenurseOB]

Thank you all. Yes it's a SNF/ LTC facility. Im ok with not being in administration. I didn't become a nurse to sit behind a desk. I am completely fine with the duties and responsibilities (so I say now because I NEED a job, but we shall see how I feel IF offered the position). And the "charge" title will look excellent on my resume.

I am fully capable of stepping down if I feel that I am not prepared. I still have another offer which I orientate for next week.

Finally a nurse...All for my three♡♡♡

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I'm thinking that being the word "charge" nurse in a snf implies you will be responsible for your own patients without another nurse to help (though an RN will be available in some capacity for urgent issues)

And you will supervise CNAs including doing write ups and assigning tasks.

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

how did it go??

[imaLvn2]

the SNF facility where I work, we have the fancy title of "charge nurse" but the only thing we are in charge of are our residents and cna's on our floor. Nothing administrative and we still have to run everything through our don.

[futurenurseOB]

It went pretty well and you're right only in "charge" of residents and CNAs which I expected. That works fine for me.

Finally a nurse...All for my three♡♡♡

[amoLucia]

It went pretty well and you're right only in "charge" of residents and CNAs which I expected. That works fine for me.

Finally a nurse...All for my three♡♡♡

Congratulations for your new license and new job.

With that generous orientation, your past experience and realistic expectations, you should do well.

Good luck! clap clap clap

[NCmcMan]

I hope it works out for you, hun. This will help a lot....

[Salisburysteak, BSN, RN]

the SNF facility where I work we have the fancy title of "charge nurse" but the only thing we are in charge of are our residents and cna's on our floor. Nothing administrative and we still have to run everything through our don.[/quote']

^^^This sbout sums it up!