you don't know have to be a charge nurse

Hi everybody,

I am a new RN in a nursing home. I was taught two things here: meds pass and treatments. I did well on both, had no problems with either. Then I get a call today from my boss who tells me she had me on the schedule but took me off because I need more training. She said "you don't know how to charge"
She took away my hours because of this and said she'll try to give me more training. Im curious what she meant by I don't know how to charge. This isn't something that you learn from a book. What can I do to improve? I don't want to get fired. I was scared to ask her about what she meant because I don't want her to think Im a dummy. Is there any books on this that would help me with this topic? Thank you
What does 'charge' mean?You didn't pass muster in a chart audit regarding billing?You're not energetic enough in your nursing actions?You don't know how to be in charge?Who knows? We certainly don't.You must ask your boss what is meant by her assertion that you don't know how to charge.

Maybe she meant to "lead". Do you supervise LVN's or CNA's? I'm an LVN at a SNF and they call us Charge Nurse if you're a Med Nurse. We have separate nurses that are LVN's and do Tx's Monday thru Friday 8-5 and weekend Tx nurses. So pretty much the charge nurses have to make sure the CNA's are doing their job, follow up on EVERYTHING! I hope that helps. BTW, how many days or weeks of training did you receive?

In the hospital where I work you have to be ACLS certified to charge. Other than that, no other formal requirements. Maybe there is a formal policy on making assignments? I would try asking other nurses you work with if you are not comfortable asking your supervisor.

I got about a week of training.

In my hospital you have to be a nurse for a few years before you can be charge. It takes an experienced nurse to be charge. You make assignments, be a resource person, deal with staffing PRN, and be the one other RNs turn to when you know what hits the fan. I have only been an RN for a year and a half and have no desire to be "charge" any time too soon.

Im not gonna lie. Being new, I don't know the residents hx's, I don't know their doctors, I don't know half the staff especially the prn's, I don't know the CNA's well either. Its hard when you're new to run the whole floor and answer phone calls from people you dont know

Are you a new RN or a new RN there? Maybe the nurse orienting you thought you needed more time for orientation. Again, you need to ask your supervisor what she meant to have a definite answer. But if you are also doubting that you are ready then maybe she could read that too.

I went to a unit meeting today for charge nurses, and that was because I am new (licensed 3 mos and 3rd day at the hospital) and invited by my unit manager to get to know people. The explanation of a "Charge Nurse" was that a charge nurse is the nurse's nurse. The charge nurse takes care of staff and patients/residents, alike. Rallying the troops, boosting morale, leading by example, making assignments, putting out fires, acting as a policeman i.e. no staff on break during meals, no cell phones on the floor, but most importantly of all - the charge nurse is a teacher to all staff. The charge nurse doesn't need to have all the answers, but the charge nurse must know where and how to find the answers.The only silly question is the one not asked. There is NOTHING wrong with inquiring with your DON, "I understand I need additional training before I am able to meet your expectations of a charge nurse. Would you mind outlining those expectations so that I may strive for improvements?"Best wishes to you!

I would just ask her what she means. It takes a while for you to really know your patients in a nursing home (their behavior, dx, hx etc), the doctor's, yeah that takes a while too. You'll know which doctors really know their patients and which doctors don't like to be paged for little things. Good luck!

Maybe she wants you to attend a Charge Nurse class. There is such a thing. But I remember when I was new, I wanted to be trained as one just in case there was no one available to be in charge. The NM said that I was too new and not ready. Then one day I walk in th unit.....and yes, I had to be in charge! After a couple of times, I proved that I could do it well and my co-workers gave a positive feedback. Then she enrolled me in the Charge Nurse class.

Quote from MicsterRNThe explanation of a "Charge Nurse" was that a charge nurse is the nurse's nurse. The charge nurse takes care of staff and patients/residents, alike. Rallying the troops, boosting morale, leading by example, making assignments, putting out fires, acting as a policeman i.e. no staff on break during meals, no cell phones on the floor, but most importantly of all - the charge nurse is a teacher to all staff. The charge nurse doesn't need to have all the answers, but the charge nurse must know where and how to find the answers.

Quote from chiulihi everybody,i am a new rn in a nursing home. i was taught two things here: meds pass and treatments. i did well on both, had no problems with either. then i get a call today from my boss who tells me she had me on the schedule but took me off because i need more training. she said "you don't know how to charge" she took away my hours because of this and said she'll try to give me more training. im curious what she meant by i don't know how to charge. this isn't something that you learn from a book. what can i do to improve? i don't want to get fired. i was scared to ask her about what she meant because i don't want her to think im a dummy. is there any books on this that would help me with this topic? thank you