What is a "charge nurse"?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

A nursing supervisor for a particular shift, who makes patient assignments for the staff RNs, communicates with other areas of the hospital to take in patient transfers or direct admits to the unit, makes sure there is adequate staffing for RNs as well as support staff like the CNAs and unit secretaries. They are a resource person for the RNs if they need assistance with a patient. They are the ones that patients can speak to if they have complaints as well.

Source(s):

RN, BSN

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

very informative

Answer 2

If something goes wrong, she is the one the police charge.

Answer 3

The head nurse or the nurse in charge of the other nurses... You can call him/her the nurse supervisor so to speak

Answer 4

A nurse with supervisory responsibility for the nurses on a shift in a particular ward or unit

Answer 5

In the hospitals I have worked at; while there is a nurse manager & assistant; each day one of the staff nurses is designated a "charge nurse". And each day it can be a different one; or several that rotate. They are not considered management from a legal standpoint, as when not charge, they are staff. Their duties consist of managing patient flow, making sure breaks are covered, assigning patients, helping out with patient care, answering phones if needed--basically being an extra set of hands as needed, and the point by point running of the place for their shift.