What enables charge nurses to undertake the requirements of their role?

INTRODUCTION The charge nurse role, an adaptation of the ward sister role in Florence Nightingales era, has evolved from a role of control and supervision to one of providing the resources and environment in which autonomous nurses can deliver care to patients. Clinical expertise is not the sole requirement but is combined with leadership and management. It is imperative that present and future charge nurses follow a pathway that will ensure they receive the education and acquire the skills to enable them to undertake the requirements of the role within the context of the population’s health needs and political environment. METHOD An online questionnaire was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data via SurveyMonkey™. The survey was distributed to currently practicing charge nurses across three DHBs, with a total of 16 participants. FINDINGS While 75% (n=12) of the charge nurse participants in this research indicated they were satisfied with their current role, the data collected identified areas where change and support would enable them to meet the current and future requirements of the role. A main contributor to the barriers within the role is the lack of recognition or understanding of the role within organisation by various facets of the health system. CONCLUSIONS Generic role descriptions, ambiguous levels of resource control and no educational pathway form role barriers that can be modified to become role enablers. The charge nurse role is one of leadership and management, in conjunction with sound clinical knowledge, a combination which is pivotal in the delivery of quality healthcare. Further support can be generated by the provision of clinical or professional supervision in an individual or group situation where reflection and discussion can promote personal growth.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Nursing

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Eastern Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Higgins, Judith

• New Zealand
• charge nurses
• roles
• surveys

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6357

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10652/6357