Taking charge of the shift?

Goldenhare · Feb 10, 2010

Deep Breath! Delegate when you can and as is appropriate. This is important!! When you take report, which I'm assuming you will, run down your "to do" list with the previous charge nurse and see if she thinks you should add anything or possibly eliminate anything. Another helpful management technique is after everyone has gotten report, circulate to the floor nurses and ask them what they feel their challenges will be this shift and what do they think they will need help with. Then break up your time by priority. It may even help you to have a piece of paper with the hours listed and what your tasks need to be for each hour. I hope this helps a bit!

coneartist · Feb 10, 2010

Thanks. I just don't know what the tasks are that are required of me, it all seems so confusing.

Goldenhare · Feb 11, 2010

The previous charge nurse should be able to help. Can you talk to your supervisor and ask what specifically is required of you during your shift??

coneartist · Feb 11, 2010

They just give me vague answers, like "oh allocate breaks - that type of thing!" I feel like I'm pushing them. What types of things do you guys need to do when co-ordinating or taking charge over a shift?

I know everywhere is different but if I get some answers back I can make up a list of all the things that ring a bell or make sense :)

Goldenhare · Feb 11, 2010

Well sweetie, If I were you, this is what I would do. Make a list of what you think the charge nurse at your facility is responsible for during your shift. Email your supervisor with the list. Tell her in a letter or email, that you are not comfortable with being a new nurse, and having the additional responsibility of taking charge. Also state that you have looked for a job description-use that term-for charge nurse and have not found one so you have made a list of tasks that you understand to be the charge nurses responsibility. Tell her that you just wanted to make her aware of these facts. Make sure that she gets your message and failing that, that her supervisor gets the letter. This is important. I'm sure you will be fine. But if all this is in writing at the before the shift, they cannot say that they were unaware of your discomfort. Keep a copy of your letters. As far as tasks go, what I said before is a good start. Different places have different requirements. Ask one of the nurses who has been charge what she does. At our facility, our charge was also in charge of the code cart and answering the phone, alerting the floor nurses to new admissions and if she had time, she would put in our orders for us. She would make up or break down charts. She would help floor nurses with tasks, and sometimes passing meds if they got behind. She was also in charge of taking care of the pediatric patients. She would also help transfer patients if needed. I think though what you need to do is 1) Make your list and ask for input. 2)Tell your supervisor in writing that you are uncomfortable with this task and feel that you have not been prepared properly. 3) Ask your floor nurses what they need from you during the shift 4) Prioritize and delegate--You will be great!!:) BUT--Remember CYOA!!

coneartist · Feb 11, 2010

Thanks, I like the idea of having a browse through job descriptions for inspiration and then ask my colleagues to look at what I have put together and see what they can add or cross off. It's challenging to "just know it" when I am not familiar with all the technical details of the ward. I don't like trying to wing things, I like to know exactly where I stand.

Katie5 · Feb 11, 2010

Pls do not tell your supervisor anything in writing, about being uncomfortable with the charge position. Talk to her as you must, garner more information and in so doing, you get more confidence.

If you don't set out doing it, you will never know. Maybe I am wrong, but reading your posts, you sound more unsure of what it entails than out-rightly wanting to reject the position. It is, afterall for the next shift- you have not yet become delegated the charge nurse role.

You have seen your charge do this- what was it about her take charge method that you liked or didn't like. You'll see that once you get into the role, it will come to you. It is a good thing that you want to write down stuff so you have a general idea. But pls believe that is only what it is meant to be, a general idea.

Different stuff will come up and you'll fall into the role as each comes up. Your manager is giving you a task- do it. Show her you can do it and that her confidence in you is not misplaced.

Consider it a challenge and live up to it, you will never know until you try at least. All the best and pls come back and let us know how it all went:)

Goldenhare · Feb 11, 2010

Its probably water over the bridge by now but having been a manager, it is important that any time you are unsure or uncomfortable with a task, you should mention (and put it in writing) to your manager. If they are throwing her into a role she is uncomfortable with, have not been trained in, and is not prepared for, and something would go wrong, the manager who represents the institution, can say that they were not aware that the nurse in question felt unprepared for the job she was being asked to do. Telling your manager that you are uncomfortable, or feel unprepared for a role you are being asked to do, does not preclude you doing the job to the best of your ability and possibly doing a great job! But I get the impression that she is still uncomfortable with her role as a new nurse and that this is a responsibility that she is very nervous about.