Ask the expert: How can I identify staff members who will make good charge nurses?
HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, August 11, 2009
This week, a reader asks about characteristics of good charge nurses. Read the response from Kathleen Garrison, MSN, RN, clinical nurse educator at Prince William Hospital in Manassas, VA
Q: What characteristics should I look for in staff members to determine whether they will make good charge nurses?
A: Being a charge nurse is a stressful position, as they often have to deal with irritated patients, families, physicians, and staff members.
All charge nurses should possess the following traits:
- Fairness and honesty: Charge nurses often have to make difficult decisions, but if they are honest and fair 100% of the time, then peers will accept their difficult decisions
- Flexibility: They must adapt to changing circumstances
- Ability to maintain control: They must maintain a sense of calm and demonstrate confidence in their decisions and actions
- Ability to motivate others: Asking others for their opinion or input shows that they value staff members as part of the team, which motivates the team to perform well
- Positive attitude: Charge nurses must navigate through turmoil while stressing the positives and not the negatives
Editor's note: Do you have a question for our experts? If you would like us to consider your query for publication, please e-mail it to senior managing editor Rebecca Hendren at rhendren@hcpro.com.
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