m

1. The Charge Nurse Role in Today’s
Environment
Elizabeth A. Bayere, BSN, RN

2. Introduction
 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 (ONA, 2016).

3. Overview
 Charge nurses are unrecognized heroes in today’s health-care
environment. Their nursing leadership is right at the point of care and
critical to better patient outcomes (Sherman, 2015).
 The charge nurse is the constant in the center of all activities, as his or her
role is to oversee the efficient functioning of the department. He or she has
a responsibility to the nursing staff to ensure available resources in order to
provide safe patient care (Hughes & Kring, 2005).
 Charge nurses are recognized for their communication and organizational
skills, as well as their ability to delegate, think critically, troubleshoot, and
remain proactive. Experts indicate that behaviors the charge nurse may use
to gain trust, foster cooperation, and promote job satisfaction include
fairness, consistency, support, recognizing individuals for their efforts, and
checking with them during their shift (Hughes & Kring, 2005).

4. Review of Literature
 In review of studies, Connelly, Miner-Williams , and Yonder (2003) conducted a
qualitative study on charge nurse competencies involving 42 nurses signifying all
levels of nursing leaders. Fifty-four specific competencies were identified and
grouped into the four categories of clinical, critical thinking, organizational, and
human relations skills. The study led to the development of a successful charge
nurse workshop that was tailored to the needs of the organization (Connelly,
Miner-Williams, & Yonder, 2003).
 According to Eggenberger (2012), the charge nurse role has become influential in
accomplishing safe and effective outcomes. The role remains poorly defined with
little focus on charge nurse development. This qualitative study used a descriptive
exploratory method. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 20 charge
nurses from 4 acute-care facilities. Eight themes emerged to describe the
experience of being a charge nurse in acute-care practice. Findings can be used by
nursing executives to emphasize the importance of this role to the organization
and support leadership development at the charge nurse level (Eggenberger,
2012).

5. Few Roles of Charge Nurse
 Charge nurse has accountability to the organization, staff and patients
for the care that is delivered.
 Charge nurse interacts with physicians related to patient care issues,
interfacing with support departments and facilities management to
ensure patients have the needed supplies, medications and an
atmosphere conducive to healing.
 Charge nurse sets expectations for staff and provides support so that
staff can carry out those expectations.

6. Charge Nurse Roles Contd.
 Evaluating: On an ongoing basis, the charge nurse evaluates individual and
collective outcomes of the patient care provided during the shift, compares
patient care delivery to accepted standards, adjusts assignment of resources
as necessary, and reports changing needs and outcomes to the health
care staff.

7. Implications for Nurse Leaders
 There is increasing indication in the nursing literature
concerning the positive impact of strong work environments
on staff satisfaction, retention, improved patient outcomes, and
organizational performance. The formation of a strong work
environment involves strong nursing leadership at all levels of
the organization, but especially at the point of care or unit
level where most front line staff work and patient care is
provided (Pross & Sherman, 2010).

8. Most Challenging Role
 The frequent changes in regulatory requirements
related to patient safety, pay for performance
indicators, technology, and organizational
expectations, charge nurses reported difficulty staying
current with policies and processes.
There are no problems….
just insurmountable

9. Conclusion
 The key to effective survival among the charge nurses is the
ability to be flexible with therapeutic communication skills
and the ability to negotiate and resolve disagreements. To
become an effective leader in today’s healthcare society and
within the nursing profession, it is essential to advance current
leadership skills that improve patient satisfaction and
outcomes, while supporting a healthy work environment
(Kiger, Schwarzkopf, & Sherman, 2013).

10. References
 Connelly, L., Miner-Williams, D., & Yonder, L. (2003). A qualitative study of
charge nurse competencies . MedSurge Nursing, 298-305.
 Eggenberger, T. (2012). Exploring the Charge Nurse Role: Holding the Frontline.
JONA, 502-506.
 Hughes, C., & Kring, D. (2005). Consistent Charge Nurses Improve Team Work.
Nursing Management, 16.
 Kiger, A., Schwarzkopf, R., & Sherman, R. (2013). What we learned from our
Charge Nurses. Nurse Leader, 34-39.
 ONA. (2016, August 29). The Role of the Registered Nurse as Charge Nurse.
Retrieved from ONA: http://www.ohnurses.org/role-registered-nurse-charge-
nurse/
 Pross, E., & Sherman, R. (2010, January 10). Growing Future Nurse Leaders to
Build and Sustain Healthy Work Environments at the Unit Level. Retrieved from
ANA:
http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPerio
dicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol152010/No1Jan2010/Growing-Nurse-
Leaders.html
 Sherman, R. (2015). The Charge Nurse as Team Leader. EmergingLeader, 2.

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