Wanting to Be a Charge Nurse

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Apr 7, 2008

i'm a charge nurse... but this sounds like.. homework.....

magnet hospitals and it's impact on health care? what does that have to do with wanting to be a charge nurse?

BearyPrivate · Apr 7, 2008

Short version. Have to be LPN, RN. Have to be in charge of CNAs, make sure they are performing their job, etc.

Have to give prescribed medications, be able to perform treatments.

Have to have a tough skin b/c of management, patients, family members, co-workers. They can be your best allies or your worst enemies depending on how the day unfolds.

JAHCO Is something management takes care of then will let you in on any changes they come up with. Trust me you don't want to go looking for things they crop up like wildfire.

Have no idea what magnet nursing and it's impact is, sorry.

But if you think you can run a hall by yourself, make sure meds are passed in a timely manner, tell a cna to get off their back sides and get busy, comfort a dying patient, do a treatment on a stage IV decub were you see muscle tissue and maybe even bone, get along with supervisor that believes you have been doing nothing all day, and deal with unrealistic family members about the progress of their granny going home, I think you could manage being a charge nurse. Of course, I almost forgot about the physicians, you have to write orders, order the med, and make sure and give it, if you don't you could be the low life dr.s believe some nurses are anyway. If you feel you can accomplish all this in an 8 hr period then welcome to the nursing field. Don't be surprised if stress is at the top of this qualification list.

BearyPrivate · Apr 7, 2008

I really want to give you the long version but afraid I may scare you away from nursing altogether. Keep your chin up and I really hope you consider it, just because I say all those things don't mean I don't like nursing. I just want you to know I LOVE being a nurse. There is alot of stress involved.

diveRN · Apr 7, 2008

Why in such a hurry to be a charge? Charge RNs only make a few bucks more an hour typically and almost always have to answer to a manager if something goes haywire. If you've been asked and

Qualities I look for in a good charge:

- Level head. Doesn't get worked up or frustrated easily, if at all.

- Willing to help. If the unit is busy, a good charge will pick up slack where they can.

-A leader. Leads by example, doesn't micromanage. E.g. A charge that wants to know if a due picc line dressing was changed during the shift is a micromanager.

- Has experience. Had a 2 yr RN as charge once. She talked the talk but couldn't walk the walk in the ICU. Lasted a month.

- Knows the important policies, procedures, and protocols and where to find the not-so-important or obscure ones.

- Is a good sounding board. I like to bounce ideas and thoughts off another person, a good charge will help me sort through complex cases and perhaps see things I may be missing.

- Is my advocate. I am my patient's advocate, the charge is mine before doctors, family, and administration.

All of this may sound like a lot, but I'm fortunate to have some GREAT charges where I work. Some are better than others for sure, but for the most part, I work with some exceptional people.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Apr 7, 2008

Why in such a hurry to be a charge? Charge RNs only make a few bucks more an hour typically and almost always have to answer to a manager if something goes haywire. If you've been asked and
Qualities I look for in a good charge:
- Level head. Doesn't get worked up or frustrated easily, if at all.
- Willing to help. If the unit is busy, a good charge will pick up slack where they can.
-A leader. Leads by example, doesn't micromanage. E.g. A charge that wants to know if a due picc line dressing was changed during the shift is a micromanager.
- Has experience. Had a 2 yr RN as charge once. She talked the talk but couldn't walk the walk in the ICU. Lasted a month.
- Knows the important policies, procedures, and protocols and where to find the not-so-important or obscure ones.
- Is a good sounding board. I like to bounce ideas and thoughts off another person, a good charge will help me sort through complex cases and perhaps see things I may be missing.
- Is my advocate. I am my patient's advocate, the charge is mine before doctors, family, and administration.
All of this may sound like a lot, but I'm fortunate to have some GREAT charges where I work. Some are better than others for sure, but for the most part, I work with some exceptional people.

i am a charge RN over a 52 bed med / surg/ tele unit... and your right about us making a few extra bucks... but my hospital will give us a bigger raise than some when raises come around and then we get the extra few bucks for being charge,, so in away we make more money than the few bucks... a least thats the way it is where i work,,

i loved your description about being a charge nurse.. i hope i live up to that

take care

BearyPrivate · Apr 7, 2008

Why in such a hurry to be a charge? Charge RNs only make a few bucks more an hour typically and almost always have to answer to a manager if something goes haywire. If you've been asked and
Qualities I look for in a good charge:
- Level head. Doesn't get worked up or frustrated easily, if at all.
- Willing to help. If the unit is busy, a good charge will pick up slack where they can.
-A leader. Leads by example, doesn't micromanage. E.g. A charge that wants to know if a due picc line dressing was changed during the shift is a micromanager.
- Has experience. Had a 2 yr RN as charge once. She talked the talk but couldn't walk the walk in the ICU. Lasted a month.
- Knows the important policies, procedures, and protocols and where to find the not-so-important or obscure ones.
- Is a good sounding board. I like to bounce ideas and thoughts off another person, a good charge will help me sort through complex cases and perhaps see things I may be missing.
- Is my advocate. I am my patient's advocate, the charge is mine before doctors, family, and administration.
All of this may sound like a lot, but I'm fortunate to have some GREAT charges where I work. Some are better than others for sure, but for the most part, I work with some exceptional people.

Wow, I have been a charge nurse for 15 yrs. You summed it up alot better than I did, Thanks. :nurse:

MissMelMcRN · Apr 7, 2008

Thanks for the replies...So wait at least 2 years to even consider or since I'm a follower...be happy with that?

Thank You,

Mel

MissMelMcRN · Apr 7, 2008

Well...I wanted to know what these have to do with nursing or hospitals in general.

Thank you,

Mel

dld, ASN, RN · Apr 7, 2008

I was Charge for 4 yrs, and missed the pt care. It is just not the same as having your own pts. It can be stressful and thankless, and also an opportunity to make improvements to the unit. It's generally alot more paperwork. Just remember, as charge, you are fair to all and friend to none, because you need to support all staff equally and fairly. You need to be cool under fire; staff will look to you for this. You need to make sure the unit functions well. Make sure everyone has what they need to get their job done efficiently. It is not easy, but some are cut out for it.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Apr 7, 2008

Thanks for the replies...So wait at least 2 years to even consider or since I'm a follower...be happy with that?
Thank You,
Mel

no i think you should have expirence as a nurse ( RN or LPN) before you jump into charging.. i have been a nurse for 22 years and i am well versed on policies and procdures of the hospital i work in, and protocol , i can run a code, besides doing a million other things , being a charge nurse is a very big responsibility and you have to feel comfertable as a nurse. i am in charge of every patient on my floor (52) and 8 RN's that work with me, pt's are admitted and discharged frequently , and keep those beds filled and take care of pt and family problems, and nurse's problems...

staff nurses are not followers , i have 8 RN's that work inder me, they are in charge of their patients and give their pt's quality care. they take total care of those patients they are awesome... i love every one of them . they work their butts off.. staff nurses are just as important as charge nurses...

take care

be proud of your job. i can say i don't know any nurses who are followers.. we are patient advocates...

sbrishaber · Oct 28, 2011

I work in a 30 bed LTAC hospital they make all RNs rotate charge. It's hard to play both rolls. Since its small instead of massive teamwork, it's a lot of bickering and backstabbing! Love being a nurse, hate catty nurses!