Our new hire, new grad charge nurse

[kimbo9]

Let me ask you guys your opinion on this. They just hired a graduate nurse on our med surg floor and made her the charge nurse. She has zero experience. She is a BSN nurse, and the majority of us are LPNs that have been here a while. I don't have a problem with a grad nurse being a charge nurse, but with no experience at all? Has management in this hospital lost their minds?

[Seasoned]

:icon_rollI started my nursing career as the charge nurse over seasoned LPN's just because I was an "RN" - in a general acute hospital. Talk about scared!

Your employer is just finally placing themselves in compliance with nursing standards of practice. But I feel your question about liability and how can the inexperienced tell you anything? PLease, please "if" she respects you all embrace her. Don't eat her alive because she will ask seemingly dumb questions and make tons of mistakes as she gets her sea-legs.

:DI took the humble it's-not-my fault-I-got this-job approach and the LPNs made it the most rewarding experience of my career!! They were my medical mamas. Yes I had to do their evaluations and correct problem behaviors but I used my supervisors to address issues with me with them because I had no experience. My medical mamas understand because they felt confident in knowing my personality and I was just doing my job especially in a way that was not sneaking or backstabbing.

So it does not make any sense for the RN to keep that position if she does not get help from the LPN's and her supervisors to bridge the professional gaps and have the proper attitude. It'll just mean after that first year (if she makes it) she'll run off . How great she does is on your shoulders of accepting and embracing her. Actually the LPNs are in a great position to mold her the way you want!!!!!! "IF" she has the right attitude.

But it does make some stupid cost-effective or maybe-I'll-run-off-the-LPNs sense that a new inexperienced RN actually got the job. Your employer is cheap and dumb to take a chance. There are too many experienced RNs out there that they could have hired!

[Nurse_Candice]

I hate when these things turn into RN vs LPN, really! Ive seen this even in the retail world, allot of mngmt see the degree and that's all. I totally agree they've not made a SAFE decision here at all and I actually feel bad for new grads in this position there setting them up to fail especially when state rolls around and they need someone to blame. Regardless of licensure I feel the Floor nurse is meant to be someone we can go to for guidance and assistance. If an 15+ yrs experienced nurse (let it be RN or LPN) is in need of assistance what will the new grad have to draw on for direction? We all know there is a book world and a real world.

[wondern, ASN]

Maybe the experienced ones just didn't 'fit', uhhh, their budget, that is.

How conveeeenient. Too bad we don't have a big nurse's union in the south! Corporate America has us over a barrell if they want, and at their discretion too. :hrnsmlys:

Maybe reporters from Primetime and 20/20 will need to air more medical mistakes specials before anyone, namely, Mr. and Ms. Joe Q. Public, will demand experienced leaders specializing in the field of nursing, as well as adequate staffing of these nurses, including management positions.

Hopefully your new grad charge nurse will find time and also be open to learning from you and the other nurses' experience.:):redbeathe

[General E. Speaking, RN, RN]

As a former charge nurse, I can say that experience matters. No way a new RN can critically think enough to manage the situations she will be faced with. This has nothing to do with RN vs LVN.

This RN may eventually become a great charge nurse if she were being PRECEPTED by an experienced charge RN but this is not the case. I was a LVN many many years in an acute care facility before getting my RN and I used to "guide" the newer RNs when they asked for help. I was happy to do it. Nurses need to back each other up. I just got tired of not being paid what I was worth so I went back to school.

IMO, this thread is about experience not education.

[JaaaeyRN]

I agree with many people here.

I am not a nurse yet. But I used to work as a librarian. I was in charge of people who had more than 5 years of experience whereas I had none. Because I just graduated with M. Ed.; therefore, the HR hired me as a supervisor. I am pretty sure that people in my department got jealous of me having higher position and paid. But what can you do when you have lower education. All I can say is go back and educate yourself rather than complaining. Because it wouldn't make any difference. I understand working without experiences can be a pain. But people can learn. But education in theses educational system takes so many years to complete.

[ethangram]

Well, way back in the olden days this happened to me too. What I learned was that the LPN's are great teachers (once they got over the idea that I am in charge and don't know as much as they do about actual pt care and only want to do a good job) and that together we could build a great team. I just kept watching and asking and doing whatever I could to learn. Give her a chance-she probably has a good basis to do the job...just needs a little help. It's what nurses do for their pts...and hopefully for each other.:heartbeat

[P-medic2RN]

Hey she is a BSN, she has the education. Maybe she has management experience else were.

[SE_BSN_RN, BSN]

Well, put yourself in her position......she is probably just glad to have a job. When I graduate with my BSN, I will be the first to say I will not be ready for a charge position. Even after working as an LPN and a SDC, I won't be ready. I'll have gone from LPN-BSN with no "RN" experience. Stand by her and help her, because you may need her help someday. I imagine the hospital saw RN, BSN and jumped at that. They can pay her less than an experienced RN and still be within the legal needs of the hospital.

[Wishinonastar, BSN]

HA HA HA. I remember when I graduated how they tried to push me into management roles and I was so afraid! I needed time to learn the ropes but they kept pushing me. Sometimes they make up their minds about a person and put them into a situation that they are not ready for. I was so stressed about it that I pulled out of hospital nursing completely and went to work in an MR facility for a time until I regained my courage. I feel for her. She is probably overwhelmed and trying to act like she is ok with it but this is a really BAD idea.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

This is all about state regulations. The credentials required are about education, not experience. An Rn with a BSN is more valued than an LPN with many years of experience.

Another failure in the nursing education/licensure system. No, of course a new grad shoud not be in charge, the hospital is filling the position as cheaply as possibly.

It is do-able if the staff realizes this, supports the new grad, and the new grad doesn't think she is now "the boss".

[withasmilelpn]

I think the issue comes down to 'it's patient safety first." of course the LPNs can't be charge, and of course they should support her. But is it the BEST situation - no way. And just because some facilities do rotate RNs through the charge position doesn't make it the best practice either. I've read a few threads on that subject as well. I hope this new Grad swims and doesn't sink. And if it looks like the ship is sinking I think I as an Lpn working in that facility would start polishing up my resume and encouraging the newbie too as well.

[nurseclm]

If they are truly a GN, most State Boards of Nursing prevent GN's from being in charge. Regardless of setting if the Board prevents that then the hospital is breaching the nurse practice act of that state. I don't know where you live so this may or may not apply.

If she or he does have their RN already, they may be charge with whatever level of experience. I do not think this is a wise practice for any setting, but if it is truly an acute care hospital the facility may be setting themselves and the new RN for a lawsuit. Also, the RN who accepts this position and has no experience, is a fool! A Board of Nursing action against that poor nurse is waiting to happen.

Must know the setting to give better answer but this is some thoughts on this information.