What does a Charge Nurse do?
Published 3 min read
A charge nurse is a registered nurse who is responsible for the care of a group of patients on a nursing unit. The charge nurse supervises the work of other nurses and support staff, and is responsible for ensuring that quality patient care is provided.
Charge Nurse job duties include:
- Act as a resource for other nurses on the unit
- Assist the Nurse Manager with unit operations and staffing
- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure optimal patient care
- Develop and implement nursing policies and procedures
- Evaluate patient care needs and develop individualized care plans
- Monitor patient progress and document clinical data
- Oversee implementation of physician orders
- Provide direct patient care as needed
- Supervise and delegate tasks to nursing staff
- Teach patients and families about self-care
Charge Nurse Job Requirements
A Charge Nurse is a registered nurse who has additional responsibilities for leading a shift or unit. They often have more experience than other nurses on the unit and may be responsible for orienting new staff. Many hospitals require a bachelor's degree for this position, and some also require certification in a specialty area such as critical care.
Charge Nurse Skills
- Communication
- Leadership
- Organizational
- Prioritization
- Time Management
- Patient Advocacy
- Conflict Resolution
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Nursing Process
- Documentation
- Medication Administration
Related: Top Charge Nurse Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Charge Nurse
There are many different types of nurses, but charge nurses are a vital part of any healthcare team. A charge nurse is a registered nurse who has additional responsibilities for leading and coordinating patient care. Charge nurses often have more experience than other nurses on the team and may be responsible for supervising other nurses and support staff. They also play an important role in communication between the medical team and patients' families.
If you're interested in becoming a charge nurse, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, it's important to have a strong foundation in nursing knowledge and skills. You'll need to be able to effectively communicate with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team. It's also important to be able to manage time efficiently and juggle multiple tasks at once.
In addition to these general skills, charge nurses must also be able to lead and motivate others. They must be able to delegate tasks and make decisions quickly. They also need to be able to handle conflict and solve problems effectively.
If you have these skills and qualities, then becoming a charge nurse may be the right career move for you. To get started, you'll need to obtain a registered nurse license from your state's Board of Nursing. Once you have your license, you can apply for jobs at hospitals or other healthcare facilities.
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