Wanting to Be a Charge Nurse

What are the necessary Qualities, Characteristics and Skills of a Charge Nurse?
Qualifications for the role?
Typical Day?
Their role with JACHO
Magnet Nursing and it's Impact on Health care....


Thank You!
Mel
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?
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.
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.
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.
Quote from diveRNWhy 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.
Quote from diveRNWhy 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.
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
Well...I wanted to know what these have to do with nursing or hospitals in general.Thank you,Mel
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.
Quote from wannabanurse2Thanks 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
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!