Training for Charge Nurse

valkyria, BSN, RN · May 27, 2008

i would be concerned too. it would depend on how the organzation you are working for defines "charge". to mose, charge is someone who is responsible for making sure that the unit is adequately staffed and supplied for that shift and the next. in addition, the charge is a person who is a source of infomation, you will know where to find data if you do not have the answer to the question you are being asked. also, charge will be present at codes and be able to take part and direct them if necessary. charge will be available to fill in when needed if staffing is short or should staff, (new nurses), need help. if i were you, i would find out what is going to be expected of you and who, if anyone, are you going to be able to depend on when you need help. then, ask a few questions, why are they considering you? do they not think that you inexperience may be a hinderance in that you are still learning and may not have the resources to do the job as it is expected to be done? will you have a training period? how long will that be? who will you be reporting to? if after you are in the position, you have a question or need help, who will be available to help you? no one can fault you for asking questions. no one is foolish enough to go blindly into a position with more responsibility without knowing what they are facing. once you have all the answers, think it over carefully, talk to voices of experience that you value and then decide.:icon_roll

Spatialized · Jun 4, 2008

I work 7p-7a and was recently asked to begin training to become charge nurse. Although flattered at first, now I am concerned. I am a new grad who has worked less than a year on the unit. I feel that I am still learning myself. There will also be several new grads starting on my shift who will likely have lots of questions. I have been told that as long as I know who to call for help I will be fine. Several people have told me mgmt wouldn't have asked if they didn't feel I was qualified, but I can't help but think that they are in need of a charge nurse and I am their best option at this point. Curious to hear what others think?????

First, I think you're not giving yourself enough credit. They asked you to do this, not the other way around. Granted, there may be a touch of the "we need someone to fill the role" in their asking you to do this, but having been involved in this process myself, we wouldn't ask someone if we believed that they couldn't hack it. While there may be more experienced nurses, folks with more time on the unit, but they may not be able to be a leader. We have some nurses on my unit that have been there a long time and are very good nurses, but I don't feel like they would fit well in a leadership role. Some people are not cut out for leadership.

Second, you probably have learned more than you think, and since you are close to being a new grad you can better understand the plight and perspectives of new grads coming onto your unit. Think back to when you started and the questions you asked, now think if you know the answers to the questions. Do you?

Finally, there is no problem with asking questions, asking for the details and responsibilities expected of a charge nurse on your floor. I kept my manager in check for 3 months before I finally gave in and agreed to being a charge nurse. During this time I talked to other charge nurses (we have both set and rotating charge nurses) and got their perspective and I also grilled my manager when I finally decided to do it. There is no shame to not knowing the answer, the important thing is that you know that you don't know and that you know where to look to find the answers.

Charge is a unique adventure, it can be a nice change of pace from standard floor nursing, but it can also be stressful (try have 2 RRTs right on top of one another...). I do enjoy it and even though I barely had a year on the floor I think I've taken to it.

Whatever you choose though, don't let them force you. Make it your own decision and don't feel like it is something you have to do. A good manager will accept that you don't feel ready to take it on. And when you are, bring it back on table.

Good luck,

Tom

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2008

It is good that you are getting training. Most CNs I've known did not get any special training- they were just thrown in there. Myself included.

mom 4 3k · Jun 19, 2008

Hi. I am in the same predicament as you are. I am just recently asked to be trained too as charge but I worked night shifts 7-7am and we might not have a tele tech so that includes the responsibility of the charge nurse. I am too an inexperience nurse(2yrs) especially on tele monitoring..if that is still part of being charge nurse, its too hard to juggle all the responsibilities...any inputs???? I want to quit outright and say to my nurse manager that I am not cut out for the charge position.....or should I still do the training and precepting and decide afterwards...

Please give me your thoghts on this...Our floor is one of the busiest being the cardiac rehab + 20 tele, so a lot of admissions at night..

mom 4 3k · Jun 19, 2008

Hi. I am in the same predicament as you are. I am just recently asked to be trained too as charge but I worked night shifts 7-7am and we might not have a tele tech so that includes the responsibility of the charge nurse. I am too an inexperience nurse(2yrs) especially on tele monitoring..if that is still part of being charge nurse, its too hard to juggle all the responsibilities...any inputs???? I want to quit outright and say to my nurse manager that I am not cut out for the charge position.....or should I still do the training and precepting and decide afterwards...
Please give me your thoughts on this...Our floor is one of the busiest being the 18 tele + med surg, so a lot of admissions at night..

mom 4 3k · Jun 19, 2008

Hi. I am in the same predicament as you are. I am just recently asked to be trained too as charge but I worked night shifts 7-7am and we might not have a tele tech so that includes the responsibility of the charge nurse. I am too an inexperience nurse(2yrs) especially on tele monitoring..if that is still part of being charge nurse, its too hard to juggle all the responsibilities...any inputs???? I want to quit outright and say to my nurse manager that I am not cut out for the charge position.....or should I still do the training and precepting and decide afterwards...
Please give me your thoughts on this...Our floor is one of the busiest being the 18 tele and 16 med surg, so a lot of admissions at night..