Transition from Staff Nurse

To Charge Nurse
Remember the very first
Hospital you have
worked for.
I did not understand
anything…can you
repeat?
 Mentoring-Precepting
• New graduates struggle
with building capability as
they enter into practice.
• In new specialties even
capable nurses revert to a
novice level of capability.
 Familiarization on
Hospital Layout&floor plans
Probationary Period
Equipment
Familiarization
Departmental
Procedures
Workflow in the
Area
Different checklist
and documentation
paperworks
Repetitive practice of certain skills and procedures
Different situations will test your level
of patience and understanding.
You will have lot’s of breakdowns as
you go through…………
CHARGE NURSE
 Charge nurses are registered nurses
who are responsible for the operations
of the nursing unit over a specific
time period.

 The charge nurse must have a strong

foundation of clinical knowledge and
skills on which to base judgments and
make decisions, organizing abilities to
direct nursing tasks and operations,
and interpersonal skills to facilitate
communication and the work of
others.
What Does A Charge Nurse Do?

Managerial Duties

Administrative Duties

Nursing Duties
 Managerial Duties
Answer any questions regarding protocol. 

Liaising with nurses, doctors, and other

medical personnel. 

Admission, discharge, and general

management of the patients’ flow.

Ability to prioritize and adapt during

emergencies while still meeting daily
goals. 
 Administrative Duties
Create schedules and manage
working shifts. 

Make sure the ward has adequate

supplies and order supplies as
needed. 

Informing staff of any protocol

changes. 

Plan budgets and make sure all the

administrative needs of your ward are
met. 
 Nursing Duties

Monitor and assess patients. 

Monitor vital signs. 

Report patients’ progress and special

circumstances to doctors.
 
Educate the patient and their family about
treatments and care.
 
Liaise with the patient’s family. 
When a problem arise in one area
or something happens we often
think ---WHO IS TO BLAME??
The question isn’t WHO…….. But WHAT??
People Problem Vs. System Problem
People can’t perform better
than
the SYSTEM allows..
 Policies and Procedures
Protocols
SYSTEM = Rights and
Responsibilities
Workflow
Guides/ Manuals
  CHARGE NURSE RESPONSIBILITY

1.Charge nurse posting in the ROTA

2.Readiness of the Charge Nurse On duty assigned in the
ROTA
Ohhhh…. We are all Float
Who is the Nurse
staffs on duty….
Supervisor on
duty? Whom I will be with
tonight?

Why am I the
Charge Nurse? Let
us exchange post
dear…

I hope we will be having a

quiet shift for today…
 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
CAUSE EFFECT
1. Only JUNIOR nurses or often times FLOAT  CHARGE NURSE responsibility is being
NURSES are on duty in a shift. assigned on the MOST SENIOR among
them even though there is no proper
orientation on being the charge nurse.

2. No proper competency/ training process  Oftentimes no one wants to take the

on how to be a CHARGE NURSE posting as a Charge for they feel that they
are not competent and if a problem will
arise, they will be blamed.
 MINDSET/ Traditional practice: “THE
MOST SENIOR NURSE on duty will do
Charge Nurse.
 Poor decision making of the Charge Nurse
that may possibly compromise nursing
care
 ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS
Training/Preceptorship program accompanied
by Competency Skills testing for Charge Nurses
to prepare them for the role.

Let the Head Nurse or Unit Manager arrange

for the ROTA as she is the one who knows the
capacity of each staff (who is float staff, junior
and seniors), the said ROTA done by the unit
managers will be then reviewed and approved
by the Nursing Director.
What are the qualities of a charge nurse?

Knowledgeable of Protocols and Up-to-date Nursing Practice

High Critical Thinking Skills
Assertiveness & Confidence
High-Level Communication Skills
In Pursuit of Excellence & Hard Worker
Own Your Mistakes
Admit When Someone Else Has a Better Idea