Charge Nurse

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Running head: Charge nurse competencies

A qualitative study of charge nurse competences

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A qualitative study of charge nurse competencies

This is a research critique of a qualitative study concerning the charge nurse role in medical-surgical and intensive care units. The purpose of this article is to identify the competencies needed of nurses serving in the charge nurse role, and to identify barriers and facilitators of the charge nurse. This article also, shows the need for developmental and educational programs for all charge nurses. The purpose of this study is significant in generating nursing knowledge, and it will impact nursing and the care of patients. This is a grounded theory research study, due to the fact the researchers are taking a topic already studied and taking the study a step farther.

Descriptive Vividness

The site for the interviews was a military medical center, however the researchers believe the results of the study will pertain to other facilities. The subjects of the interviews were staff, charge, supervisory and head nurses on the job at least six months. The data was from forty-two semi-structured interviews. The researcher took an open approach to the data collecting. Therefore, the informants were able to describe their perception of the charge nurse role and the qualities expected of a charge nurse.

Methodological Congruence

This article was an exploratory, qualitative research using interviews for the data-gathering. According to the research study, methodological congruence was maintained using an audit trail, process and analytic memos, peer-briefing

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procedures, member checking, and constant comparative analysis. All of these

activities kept the researchers on the right track and kept the team from expressing

biases, and to prevent early closure from the project. The interviews resulted in competencies and qualities needed by all charge nurses. These results could be called the barriers and facilitators of this study. The competencies fall under four categories: clinical/technical, critical thinking, organizational and human relations skills. The qualities needed by charge nurses are, however, not usually learned qualities. These qualities, for example are: accountability, humor, image, and the ability to command respect. Other barriers to a good charge nurse is overloading self, not delegating appropriately, lack of confidence, and the inability to handle stress.( )

Analytical Preciseness

This research article's conclusions are based on data gathered from interviews with forty-two nurses. The research team then met as a group to discuss the findings of the research. "This study fills a major gap in the literature by providing research-based information about the role of the charge nurse (Connelly, 305)." According to this study, there needs to be more training and coaching for a career with this kind of responsibility. The leadership and management skill of these nurses needs to be addressed.

Theoretical Connectedness

The data from this research study is clearly expressed, consistent and reflective of the data. There are primary sources cited in the article,