NurseBee22

No LOL! We get 3-5 patients. I'm saying this person cannot handle 2 "typical" ED patients. We are a very very busy trauma center. Why does no one else on staff get a mental break? I see this from both sides. Charge is hard in a different way than staff. But staff is still hard. We have unsafe staffing and high volumes. There is the reason there is back ups. So they aren't doing it full time. I just can't follow a leader who forgot how to manage the floor. I would have to disagree with you, I think everyone in a leadership position should have time on the floor. You can't be a leader of a group of people doing a job you yourself can't do. That's my main gripe I guess. And other staff can see that too. That they are a burden on the unit when they are staff because they forgot how to manage and prioritize a patient load.

I am currently a back up charge in the ED, we get about 2 shifts a month (lately more due to sick leaves). The way we run things are the main charges have 2 of 3 shifts as charge and one shift on the floor so they don't "lose their skills". One CRN is returning from leave and is refusing to be on the floor as a staff nurse and she basically "stole" my back up charge shifts because we create the schedule and can change anyone's shifts so she moved me to staff and her to charge... reason being is she can't handle it on the floor anymore because it's too stressful. Do your charges only do charge or do they switch between staff? Additionally how can you trust someone to be a leader when they themselves can't even handle it on the floor. I don't feel comfortable with someone who can't handle a basic two ED patient load telling me to take 4 or 5. You should lead by example. All the other charges will also put each other on "easier" spots like fast track. If your in charge, have you lost your skills or do you still participate on the floor. And if you're in the ED on the floor what do you look for in a charge? I see both worlds equally now but am feeling disdain towards the "main" charges for how incompetent they are on the floor. Looking to see what other EDs do.