In charge

Initially when my nurse supervisor asked me to take the role of charge nurse, I hesitated and said I didn't feel comfortable. Which is the truth. But, then I looked at my reasoning. Why? I like having my own patients and being involved in their care.... keeping busy and not worrying about everybody else. I didn't want to be in charge of all of the nurses. I didn't want to have "the buck stopping with me." If we have to transfer a patient to a higher level hospital.. it is me who would have to arrange for helicopter transfer, etc... If we have an emergency c-section, guess who has to call all of the appropriate people, make all the arrangements? If we don't have enough staff in the morning for the 2 section, induction and 2 leftover labor patients, guess who has to make it work?

But, then I realized it is my nurse manager who will be making referrals for me when I leave. And, if I balk at the chance to take on more responsibility, how will that look? So, I caved in. I told her I would be the charge nurse - ON occasion when no else is scheduled who usually does it. I've done it once so far... and we did have to transfer a patient in from another hospital and we did have an emergency cesarean section... both on my first night of being in charge... And, it wasn't so bad... I'm in charge again tonight... We'll see how it goes... But, if nothing else, it looks good on the resume, no? :)