Qualitative Study of Charge Nurse Competencies.

摘要

The charge nurse role has increased importance in health care with current short hospital stays and high acuities. As front-line managers on each shift, charge nurses ensure quality care and cost effectiveness. Much has been written about the competencies of new graduates, specialty practitioners, head nurses and other managers, but little literature was found on the specific competencies of charge nurses. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and categorize specific competencies of the charge nurse, as well as barriers and facilitators of the role. For this study, competencies are defined as the expectations professionals have for a particular role they or others assume. Data was derived from forty-two interviews with representation from nurses who function frequently in the role (12), head nurses (10), staff nurses (11), and supervisory personnel (9).