Charge Nurse
A charge nurse is in charge of running and managing one particular department within a hospital or other healthcare providing facility. This type of nurse is a registered nurse who is properly licensed and actively practices nursing. He or she not only carries out his or her normal nursing duties throughout the day, he or she must also manage the other nurses within the department, supervise the nursing staff, set work schedules, oversee medical supplies, order supplies when needed, and plan nursing budgets. Other common duties of a charge nurse include: administering medications, arranging for specialist care when needed, assessing patient needs, developing care plans, and holding educational and/or training programs.
To become a charge nurse, an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in nursing is required, as is becoming a registered nurse. Several years of work experience are also needed to work up to this supervisory level. Current certification in CPR, and BLS are required as well. Other recommended skills include: exceptional communication skills, computer skills, leadership skills, decision-making skills, proper bedside manner, and management skills. The field of nursing is currently growing, with future career growth outlooks being quite good.
The typical average salary of a charge nurse is about $57,000 per year. Charge nurses can advance their careers and earning potential by continuing their education and training for upper level administration positions, such as nursing director, president of nursing operations, or chief operating nurse.
