Charge Nurse
Overview:
A Charge Nurse is a registered nurse who assumes a leadership role on a specific shift or unit within a healthcare facility. They are responsible for the smooth operation of the unit, overseeing nursing staff, coordinating patient care, and serving as a resource and point of contact for both staff and patients.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise and assign patient care tasks to registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants.
- Make daily patient assignments based on acuity and staff skill levels.
- Coordinate admissions, discharges, and transfers to ensure efficient patient flow.
- Serve as a clinical resource and mentor for less experienced nursing staff.
- Act as a liaison between the nursing staff, physicians, patients, and management.
- Address and resolve any issues or conflicts that arise on the unit.
- Ensure compliance with hospital policies, procedures, and safety standards.
- Participate in staffing decisions and performance evaluations.
- Often maintains a partial patient load while managing administrative duties.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is often preferred.
- Several years of clinical experience in the relevant unit (e.g., Med-Surg, ICU).
- Strong clinical knowledge and critical-thinking skills.
- Proven leadership, delegation, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to manage a team effectively.
- Ability to remain calm and make decisions under pressure.
