RN Charge Nurse Responsibility

I manage a unit where an RN is assigned as the charge nurse. There are a couple of experienced RNs who have come to my office telling me that they don’t want to be assigned the charge nurse role. Aren’t RNs expected to take on this role?

• Yes, key components of The Registered Nurses Act (1988) identify that RNs are responsible for the assignment and coordination of client nursing care and includes being assigned to the charge nurse role.
• RNs coordinate point-of-care health service delivery with clients, the health care team, and other sectors to ensure continuous, safe care (1).
• RNs provide and support leadership in nursing for optimal coordination and provision of care (2).
• RNs collaborate with other health care providers and other interested parties to maximize health benefits to persons receiving care and with health care needs and concerns, recognizing and respecting the knowledge, skills and perspectives of all (3).
• RNs consult with clients and health care team members to make ongoing adjustments required by changes in the availability of services or client health status (4). Factors that a charge nurse must take into account include client acuity, the availability of nursing personnel and their level of experience and competence in meeting the care needs of the clients, and the complexity of the environment.

How should I respond when these RNs tell me they don’t want to be assigned the charge nurse role?

It might be helpful for you to establish expectations and explore the reasons why they are hesitant to accept the charge nurse role. Once you know the reasons, it will be easier to offer them the supports they need to transition into this role. You may also want to meet with these RNs to:

• Encourage participation in staffing level policy development and review.
• Provide charge nurse orientation and mentorship that provides meaningful applicable education for the role:
  • Remind them that coordination of care is an integral part of the RN role;
  • Share your performance expectations with them and explain how important it is to the team that they embrace the charge nurse role;
  • Reassure them that they have your support as they learn and grow in this role; and,
  • Collaboratively develop a plan that supports and enables them to begin developing the ability and confidence to act as the charge nurse.

• The CRNS practice and education team offers support for those who wish to better understand the RN role and the expectations of practice. The team can be reached at practiceadvice@crns.ca.

I have heard from staff that one of the RNs accepts the charge nurse role on evenings or weekends but then lets one of the other more assertive staff members on the team make all the client care decisions. What is the best approach to solving this issue?

• Ask the staff members what actions they have taken to resolve the situation with the charge nurse. Encourage resolution at the lowest level and open and honest communication about next steps (i.e., a discussion with the manager). Give the RN an opportunity to share their side of the story. If they identify that this is occurring, it might be helpful for you to explore the reasons why this is happening. Once you know the reasons, it will be easier to resolve this situation.

CRNS Resources

CNA Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses (2017)

Registered Nurse Practice Standards (2024)

Registered Nurse Entry-level Competencies (2024)

Legislated Scope of Practice Tool

External Resources

CNPS InfoLaw: Supervision