What? Really?

nyrn5125 · Oct 16, 2011

let them know that when they are in charge they can do it how they want. Does this have to do with you assigning the highest acuity to the same nurses all the time? what is the main complaint

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2011

Welcome to first level management.....now you know how you boss feels!!! ((WINK)) :lol2: :redpinkhe

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2011

Welcome to first level management.....now you know how you boss feels!!! ((WINK)):redpinkhe

This. I'd be willing to bet that they treat other charges like this, too. It has to do with the role that you are in, and is one reason I wouldn't do charge for any sum of money.

It's like when I do Flow. Some nurses, I work side by side with and get along great! But the second I try to give them a patient in my role as the Flow Nurse, they eat me alive. The next day, I'm not doing Flow and I'm just another nurse in their zone, and it's like we're old long lost pals.

MsBlissful · Oct 16, 2011

Ihear you. I always befriended my Charge RN. For a couple of reasons. People were always all to willing to toss her under the bus. It's an unthankful job. Hardly worth the extra money.

After a few years on my unit my supervisor came to me and said she'd like me to train to be relief CRN. I said, why what an honor but no thank you. It shocked her. I told her that $1.25 an hour increase was not worth the stress, extra work and I want to go home after a shift and not worry.... she was pretty appauled.

It was bad enough I was a mentor, a trainer and served on a couple of committees. and that gave me a Freaking 3%increase. Hello and I mean goodbye. I quite 13 years ago and HAVEnN"T looked back once regreting leaving that hell hole. ( Hoag Hosptial OC Ca. Really nice facility, i'd be a patient there in a heartbeat.. You coudlnt get me back to work there without a fight though.. lowest paid in Orange County... that's something to be proud of. )

I support my hospital colleagues, but am in awe of the BS you all put up with.

MsBliss.

trebugRN · Oct 16, 2011

I work on a floor and it's the same deal. I recently left for other reasons, but was glad to be leaving charge behind. Only been in my new job a month and they are already asking me about charge.....NO NO NO!!!!!

brownbook · Oct 16, 2011

Lie a lot. I was charge nurse for several years. When they fuss, gripe, complain, I would nod, smile, be empathetic, parrot back what they said...."Yes, I know working the blah, blah, blah, room is the hardest." Or "I know nurse suzie is always so bossy." Inside I would be thinking, jeeze shut up and do your work!!!!

I also found it very easy to say yes when they asked for help. No matter how busy I was when they asked for help I would say yes I will come to help, or maybe; "I'm in the middle of a code but I will send nurse Suzie to help you". 99% of the time when I would go myself to help I would find that all I had to do was show up, maybe take care of one or two quick simple tasks and their perceived "I'm drowning here." would suddenly be "I'm okay now, thanks." Just the psychological knowledge that when they asked for help someone would come as opposed to "I can't send anybody to help, we are all to busy."

martymoose, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2011

wow how interesting . we dont get paid any extra for charge, 90 % of the time we carry a pt load, and NOBODY wants the job. Everyone is nice to you becaiuse they are glad it's not them lol. Maybe some of your "elder " nurses just dont like being told what to do. And yes, thats the nature of the job. cannot please every one. there are some times that i do have some of the otehr ***** to me about their assignment, but then i turn around and say fine- you be charge, and they are like no , that s ok lol. i just stick my ground. dont let them run yyou over. were here to work, not have a social gathering. maybe it helps that i separate that- when im at work , no one is my friend.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Oct 16, 2011

This is why I recommend hiring in as charge as opposed to being "promoted" to charge. All your old nurse buddies turn on you.

I know very few "good" nurses who want to charge. It is not worth it

AliF · Oct 16, 2011

Being in charge really isn't that fun, and it certainly won't help your social life. Any position (I'm not a nurse yet) where you are in charge of your coworkers is tough. I never liked being management, because I really don't care about who stole whose lunch out of the fridge. You're right, it's not worth $1.25 an hour!

Some people love it, but I know it's not for me. Maybe it's not for you either?

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2011

Haha! My husband and i laugh about this all the time. His unit hired 3 full time charges for a buck more an hour last spring. 6 months later, they have all quit for regular positions. They say the aggravation isn't worth it.

My er knows everyone hates it so much that they force anyone with over a certain number of years experience to charge.

As for complaining, I have complained exactly twice, when I had two unfair assignments but otherwise, there is no point in saying anything else. In the er, everyone wants what they want and unfortunately, it is the er so grow up, you aren't getting your treasured assignment every time you come to the er and live with it. Ugh. This is when the aggressive go-getter personality is a bad thing.

allnurses Guide · Oct 17, 2011

There was a period of several years when very few of us really had the experience to charge (not years since grad so much as ER knowhow). I was never anything but charge. I think I was good at it, but there are always complaints. One was I was too bossy but the other was I wasn't there enough:rolleyes:

As we expanded, we got more folks in and I was charge about 2/3 of my shifts, then down to 1/2. But with a takeover, the charge duties got more onerous, more demanding, and less rewarding. It was more management and less organize-run the floor-back up your staff. Sorry, I have no desire to be a mini-manager; or I would have accepted the offers over the years to apply for it.

Then they produced a little "competency" form that we were supposed to sign, to delineate our duties. It was so vaguely worded that the charge could be hung out to dry for about anything. I didn't sign, and said I didn't want to charge anymore in January (after 30+ years!). I am so much more relaxed! I take care of patients! I don't have to go in early and I don't get hauled in to the office in the morning instead of leaving.