A Charge Nurse, or Staff Nurse, is responsible for managing a particular ward in a healthcare facility during their shift. They provide order and delegate tasks among ward nurses. Their duties include admitting and discharging patients, assigning nurses to patients and taking inventory and ordering medical supplies as needed.
A Charge Nurse should be able to fulfill various duties and responsibilities. The following are some duties and responsibilities a Charge Nurse should be able to execute:
- Organizing training seminars and courses to educate new staff or introduce new procedures and protocols
- Evaluating staff performance and providing corrective measures if necessary
- Assessing, monitoring and caring for patients
- Communicating with upper management regarding Nurse performance, staff issues and changes to treatment protocols
- Creating a yearly budget for nursing staff
- Performing administrative tasks, such as creating staff schedules and ordering supplies
- Remaining calm under pressure and be able to quickly and effectively delegate staff responsibilities during busy shifts or emergency situations
A competitive Charge Nurse will have certain skills and qualifications, including:
- Expert knowledge of best nursing practices in general and for specific populations, such as children or the elderly
- In-depth understanding of hospital procedures and protocols
- Effective and professional communication techniques, including writing and speaking
- Personable and compassionate personality
- Excellent critical thinking and quick problem-solving skills
- Great organization, time management and multitasking abilities
- Leadership skills, like training, goal-setting and motivation
- Physically strong and able to work on their feet for long periods of time
