Someone who runs whatever unit as a business, complete with all you've said and shows no favoritism whatsoever.  Does not tolerate back stabbing and poor behavior.

I so glad that someone made this thread. I think a good charge nurse would be someone who is knowledgeable, who is leaneit, and someone who is willing to lend a helping hand. I think a good charge nurse should have five years of nursing experience also.

I think a good charge nurse is ultimately a resource for everyone on the unit.  If that means taking patients, answering questions from newer nurses who aren't sure of certain things, assisting with a "code brown", moving patients to another unit, dealing with difficult family members or physicians...the charge nurse does it.  He or she is a advocate for their staff and tries to make their day easier, but by no means doing their job for them - that requires a good sense of balance and also knowing your staff and what their strengths and weaknesses are.  This also means having the foresight to "match" a nurse with their patients - giving the right patients to the right nurse (to learn more about this, aacn.org has alot of information about the Synergy model which details this at length).  It's a good idea to match a nurse who is strong in CV with a post-open heart, a strong neuro nurse with a post-craniotomy...this ensures the patient gets the best care and can also relieve some stress for the charge nurse as nurses caring for patients they are comfortable with may require less monitoring, which equals more time for the charge to do their duties.

A good charge also has a good attitude and tries to keep that good attitude regardless of the situation.  He or she shouldn't talk down to nurses or make them feel inadequate or stupid - even in more "advanced" areas like ICU, there are no stupid questions and good charge nurse take the time to foster and educate their staff, not cut them down.  They have a good sense of constructive criticism, and if a nurse isn't performing up to par, they constructively can take them aside and let them know what they need to work on without making the nurse feel badly about their performance.  A good charge should therefore also have strong communication skills, not only with their peers but with other staff, patient's families, doctors...everyone.

While a strong knowledge base is important, I think it's more the people skills that matter when you're in this position.  A charge nurse can learn as he or she goes from their peers or from different situations.  A charge will always have resources whether it's the unit director, other more experienced peers, or experienced ancillary staff.  Even though the charge is supposed to be doing just that (charging), a good charge nurse realizes that he or she does not know everything and isn't afraid to ask if they don't know the answer or to use their peers to ensure that the unit functions as one happy entity.

ckruszka says ...

What does any-one think makes a good charge nurse, or good nurse leader?

I think the person who accepts that responsibilty should be there as a back-up and resource for the rest on the nurses on the unit.

They should also convey a team oriented approach, and be willing to jump in the trenches with staff when the going gets rough. In other words, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.

I also think a certain amt of experience should be required. Sadly, here in Texas, that is not the case.

Also, a certain personality should be considered. That nurse should be able to effectively communicate with MD's, managers,patients and family members.Not everyone has that knack.

Lastly, that nurse should be an advocate for her patients as well as her staff. Docs and other depts have ridiculous expectations at times. That person should be the voice of reason and respectfully tell these people what her/his nurses can do as far as being a "handmaiden" to them.

 

Am I setting the bar too high. What does anyone else think?

I think that you have described the qualities a leader and Nurse in Charge should have very accurately. I don't think it is setting the bar too high as the expectations and work conditions are high and demanding! I especially believe that the charge should indeed advocate for the patients and her team of nurses. As you wrightly mentioned, often the demands are unreasonable, and if the charge doesn't take a stand for her nurses, no one else will. The team spirit should prevail and conflicts or disagreements should be dealth with internally, while offering a united front.