Are you seeking a leadership role in nursing? This guide covers the top traits charge nurses need to be effective leaders.
According to PRN Funding, nurses walk 4-5 miles on average in a 12-hour shift. Charge nurses may cover even more territory, but the charge nurse role requires more than strong legs.
This guide covers the most important traits for charge nurses to be effective leaders and improve patient outcomes.
A charge nurse oversees a hospital unit or department. They are the point of contact for nursing staff, physicians, and hospital administration. Along with patient care duties, the charge nurse directs staff members and ensures routines and processes are running smoothly.
Charge nurses plan procedures and patient care that are to be performed during the shift. At the start of a shift, the charge nurse distributes the workload so that staff resources are used most efficiently. This includes considering each individual nurse’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. The charge nurse also evaluates patient outcomes during their shift.
The charge nurse is responsible for:
Those interested in the charge nurse role must hold registered nurse (RN) licensure in the state where they practice and have at least three years of hands-on clinical experience. Charge nurses must be able to multitask and stay calm under pressure.
