This document outlines the key responsibilities and characteristics of a successful charge nurse. It discusses the importance of integrity, trust, clinical skills, organizational skills, and resiliency. It also emphasizes the need for charge nurses to foster teamwork, act as a resource, make difficult decisions, maximize staffing, and balance workloads. The document recommends leadership courses focusing on understanding leadership, decision-making, delegation, team building, and managing conflict.

1. Charge Nurse Profile
Presented By: Coleen R. Elmers, RN, MSN

2. CNE Disclosure Statement
 Requirements for successful completion:
– Must attend entire presentation, & participate in
group activities
– Return the course evaluation
 Conflicts of interest & commercial support
- none
 No products are endorsed by BHS or TNA
 Off-label use – N/A

3. Professional Characteristics
 Integrity: fairness, honesty, consistency
 Trust: creates a climate of trust
 Clinical Skills: possesses solid skills
 Organizational Skills: priority management
 Resiliency: hangs tough under fire

4. Working With/Through Others
 Teamwork: creating a positive environment
 Resource: for preceptors & staff
 Decision Making/Delegation: making the
unpopular decision
 Maximizing clinical assignments
 Balancing workload
 Networking for special unit needs

5. Leadership University Courses
 LU1: Understanding the LEADER In YOU
 LU2: Decision-Making/Delegation
 LU3: Team Building
 LU8: Cost of Conflict

6. References
 Connelly, L., Yoder, L., & Miner-Williams,
D. 2003. Med/Surg Nursing. A Qualitative
Study of Charge Nurse Competencies; 12:5,
298-305.
 Sherman, R. 2005. Nursing Economics
Don’t Forget Our Charge Nurses; 23:3,
125-130, 143.