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Charge Nurse Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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A 964705647lpn20.37lvn9.84registered nurse9.57rn8.38nurse3.5411675313423611.7035.1671.00HOURLY1579960642025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Charge Nurse, or Staff Nurse, is responsible for managing a particular ward in a healthcare facility during their shift. They provide order and delegate tasks among ward nurses. Their duties include admitting and discharging patients, assigning nurses to patients and taking inventory and ordering medical supplies as needed.

Charge Nurse duties and responsibilities

A Charge Nurse is responsible for many of the same tasks as an RN, but they are also in a supervisory role. Some of their typical duties and responsibilities include:

  • Organizing training seminars and courses to educate new staff or introduce new procedures and protocols
  • Evaluating staff performance and providing corrective measures if necessary
  • Assessing, monitoring and caring for patients
  • Communicating with upper management regarding Nurse performance, staff issues and changes to treatment protocols
  • Creating a yearly budget for nursing staff
  • Performing administrative tasks, such as creating staff schedules and ordering supplies
  • Remaining calm under pressure and be able to quickly and effectively delegate staff responsibilities during busy shifts or emergency situations

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Charge Nurse Job Description Examples

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Job Description Best Practices
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What does a 964705647lpn20.37lvn9.84registered nurse9.57rn8.38nurse3.5411675313423611.7035.1671.00HOURLY1579960642025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Charge Nurse do?

Charge nurses typically work for hospitals or medical facilities. They coordinate with other nurses and hospital staff to determine organized measures to best care for their patients. Their job is to create shift schedules for ward nurses and act as a point of leadership for a team of healthcare professionals. Charge nurses typically act as a liaison for families of admitted patients, providing them with updates about their loved one’s condition and the methods used for treatment. They may also perform typical nurse duties like administering IVs and medications, changing gauze and feeding patients.

Charge Nurse skills and qualifications

 

A Charge Nurse uses many patient care skills and soft skills to provide the most comprehensive support to patients, their families and medical staff. These skills and qualifications often include:

  • Expert knowledge of best nursing practices in general and for specific populations, such as children or the elderly
  • In-depth understanding of hospital procedures and protocols
  • Effective and professional communication techniques, including writing and speaking
  • Personable and compassionate personality
  • Excellent critical thinking and quick problem-solving skills
  • Great organization, time management and multitasking abilities
  • Leadership skills, like training, goal-setting and motivation
  • Physically strong and able to work on their feet for long periods of time

Charge Nurse salary expectations

Charge Nurses make an average of $26.13 per hour. This pay rate depends on level of education, experience and geographical location.

Charge Nurse salary expectations

2025-10-0111.7035.1671.00HOURLY
  • Common salary: 35.16 HOURLY
  • Typical salaries range from 11.70 - 71.00 HOURLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Charge Nurse education and training requirements

A Charge Nurse must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an approved nursing program. They must also have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to be certified to practice as an RN. Certification in emergency measures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, basic life support measures or advanced cardiac life support are also necessary.

Voluntary certification in specialty areas is a plus, such as pediatrics or emergency care. Some candidates may also be required to have a graduate degree in health services administration.

Charge Nurse experience requirements

964705647lpn20.37lvn9.84registered nurse9.57rn8.38nurse3.5411675313423611.7035.1671.00HOURLY1579960642025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Charge Nurses are generally required to have several years of work experience as an RN and a track record of excellent patient care. Previous work experience in a supervisory role is beneficial as well. Many organizations prefer to hire a Charge Nurse who has worked both in general nursing and a specialty area.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this Charge Nurse job description template is not quite what you are looking for, see our job descriptions for similar roles:

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Frequently asked questions about Charge Nurses

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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