New grad as charge nurse?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 15, 2012

IMHO, a charge nurse should have some experience as a nurse on the type of unit they're working. How will you know what to do and how to guide others if you have not yet done it yourself?

Although you have executed good judgment in your personal life, you are still a new grad who will need some time to develop nursing judgment. It comes with time and experience.

IMO, the charge nurse position is not appropriate for most new grads, although many do succeed when they are thrust into this highly responsible role. Good luck to you!

minnymi · Jun 16, 2012

i would be way too scared as a new grad to be charge nurse. i would at least want to be present for a few "crisis" situations before being the one in charge when a crisis happens. afterall, that's when the charge nurse is really important is when things aren't going well.

i guess it depends on who you work with. do you have a good relationship with the LPN? has he/she worked there for a long time and know exactly what to do when something goes "wrong"? can you count on him/her to help guide you....or will they let you make a bad decision in order to prove a point? sometimes, a veteran doesn't like it when they have been employed for ages and someone who is brand new is charge. i realize it's a matter of policy, but sometimes people can't accept that.

if the lpn you're working with is a veteran at the facility that would give me some relief, but if the LPN and aides are going to be looking solely to YOU to take charge when things go south.....i'd reconsider that responsibility.

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · Jun 16, 2012

Being a charge nurse is a lot like being a crossing guard. Anyone can do it if she has a whistle and a sign, lol. Seriously, it is not a significant position IMO and the reverence paid to it is laughable, and somewhat embarrassing to the profession as a whole. It's like bragging about being the hall monitor in primary school, where you get to order the kindergarteners about.

If you know the institutions policies and procedures, I don't see a problem.

minnymi · Jun 16, 2012

Being a charge nurse is a lot like being a crossing guard. Anyone can do it if she has a whistle and a sign, lol. Seriously, it is not a significant position IMO and the reverence paid to it is laughable, and somewhat embarrassing to the profession as a whole. It's like bragging about being the hall monitor in primary school, where you get to order the kindergarteners about.
If you know the institutions policies and procedures, I don't see a problem.

i would say your evaluation is correct.....until something goes wrong.

it's like the principle of a school....the job of overseeing the faculty is "easy" until a faculty member slaps a child. then, the principal who has no control over the teacher's actions and who could've been in a meeting when the incident occured is questioned and held accountable for the actions of the faculty.

in a psych facility there are lots of liability issues. if someone is put into confinement and there's a lawsuit later.....who is going to be under fire? the charge nurse....that's who.

allnurses Guide · Jun 16, 2012

Being a charge nurse is a lot like being a crossing guard. Anyone can do it if she has a whistle and a sign, lol. Seriously, it is not a significant position IMO and the reverence paid to it is laughable, and somewhat embarrassing to the profession as a whole. It's like bragging about being the hall monitor in primary school, where you get to order the kindergarteners about.
If you know the institutions policies and procedures, I don't see a problem.

Maybe you've never worked with a charge nurse who can't make a patient assignment properly. Or one who gossips or flirts with the nearby menfolk while all hell breaks loose on the unit. Or one who buddies up to one nurse and goes on to bully the others around. It isn't very funny if you're stuck with a bad "crossing guard". If people believe it doesn't matter (they won't) why should they bother trying to be good at it?

DEgalRN · Jun 16, 2012

I had a friend who started in psych as a new grad. He worked as a "floor" nurse for about a month and then they placed him as charge. He survived and really didn't have any issues. I can't speak to psych, since I haven't worked it, but in med-surg there would be no way I would want to be charge without at least a year of experience if not more.

loriangel14, RN · Jun 16, 2012

On the floor that I work new grads are put in charge for the shift about 2 months after they start. If they do run into trouble they can always ask for support from other staff on how to proceed. Asking for help is not seen as a bad thing.The more they work as charge for the shift the more experience they get and the less they have to ask for advice.

tantaritas · Jun 20, 2012

I was recently hired at a psych hospital...one of my first choices..I also just graduated a month ago...well each unit is staffed like this...1 RN who is charge nurse, 1 LVN who does all meds and treatments, and 1-2 tech's who maintain the flow of the unit... I'm a new grad (RN), but after my couple week orientation, I'm charge nurse...what do you think of this? Is this typical practice at psych facilities? Am I at great risk for losing my license? I do have great judgement skills and think I'm a good leader... I just want some other opinions on this...

hi is this Las Encinas Hosp?