Nurse Types / Charge Nurse

If you’ve been in nursing for 5 or 10 years, you’re probably beginning to explore your options for career advancement. Becoming a charge nurse is an ideal opportunity if you’re looking at bedside and non-bedside roles that build on your existing nursing skills.

Maybe you’re a recent graduate who doesn’t want to wait to pursue loftier goals. It’s never too early to start thinking about what it takes to become a charge nurse.

In this article, you’ll discover:

• What is a charge nurse?
• What do charge nurses do?
• Where do charge nurses work?
• What are closely related fields?
• How do you become a charge nurse in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of charge nurses?
• What are the salary and career outlooks for charge nurses?
• FAQs

What is a charge nurse?

Nursing professionals who want to take on leadership roles have a few options available to them. Becoming a charge nurse is one of them. Charge nurses extend their expertise beyond patient care. In addition to their bedside duties, they also coordinate schedules and assign duties and responsibilities for other nurses in their unit.

Charge nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who are responsible for overseeing a nursing unit. They work in shifts just like other nurses, with a charge nurse assigned to every nursing unit for a specific period each day.

Qualities of a successful charge nurse

As a charge nurse, you must have a solid foundation of clinical knowledge and skills. You’ll pull from that base to help you make important decisions about patient care and organize nursing tasks. Other qualities of a successful charge nurse include:

• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Conflict resolution capabilities
• Strong multitasking abilities

What do charge nurses do?

Charge nurses can work in several healthcare settings, including clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Nursing units that require even a minimal amount of oversight can benefit from the expertise and skills of charge nurses.

When you accept a position as a charge nurse, you’ll become a caretaker, liaison, and supervisor all rolled into one. You must be a master at balancing the medical competencies of an RN with the responsibilities of a manager.

You’ll have a lot of flexibility in a career as a charge nurse. You can continue to provide bedside care to patients while overseeing admissions and discharges. If concerns arise, you’re the point person to address – and resolve – them with patients and family members.

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A day in the life of a charge nurse

A typical day in the life of a charge nurse can be hectic if the patient load is high. You can expect to engage in some of these common job responsibilities:

• Delegating nurse assignments
• Developing educational and training programs for nurses
• Directing patient care
• Documenting and evaluating nurse performance
• Monitoring and ordering medications and medical supplies
• Providing bedside care to patients

You may have additional responsibilities depending on your employer. No matter where you work, be prepared to make split-second decisions regarding patient care.

Common conditions treated by charge nurses

Charge nurses can treat all the same conditions as RNs. They educate patients and their families about medical conditions and instructions for their ongoing care. They also:

• Administer prescribed medications and treatments 
• Chart patient vitals 
• Conduct patient assessments
• Draw blood and take other samples for lab testing 

Charge nurses also consult with other members of the healthcare team to create treatment plans for patients.

Where do charge nurses work?

Charge nurses work primarily in hospitals, where there is the greatest need for their services. If you choose to become a charge nurse and don’t want to work in a hospital setting, you have alternatives. Some of the other places you can use your skills include:

• Ambulatory specialty departments
• Dialysis centers
• Home health agencies
• Medical clinics
• Private physicians’ offices
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Specialized medical care facilities
• Urgent care clinics

What are closely related fields?

A nursing career closely related to a charge nurse is nurse manager. Both are leaders who guide the level of care patients receive in a healthcare setting. However, there are differences in the level of responsibility.

Charge nurses can provide bedside care for patients in addition to their management responsibilities. Nurse managers focus on the administrative side of healthcare.

How do you become a charge nurse in 3 steps?

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

The first step you’ll need to take to become a charge nurse is to become a licensed RN. You have several options for getting there. Some nursing students choose an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which takes 12-18 months to complete. Others decide to pursue a more advanced bachelor’s degree, which takes 3-4 years to finish depending on whether you attend part-time or full-time.

Earn a BSN degree 

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is a smart move if you want to become a charge nurse. Most healthcare employers require charge nurses to have their bachelor’s degree, even though it’s not necessary for becoming an RN. 

If you want to start working as a nurse while continuing your education, you can get your associate’s degree, pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and enroll in a RN to BSN program. 

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to switch to nursing, you can enroll in an accelerated BSN program. 

Pass the NCLEX-RN exam

Whether you start out with an ADN or a BSN, you must pass the NCLEX exam to become licensed. You must follow the rules for NCLEX-RN candidates to qualify for the test. Reviewing the rules, and taking some practice tests, can help you succeed on your first try.

If you don’t pass your NCLEX-RN on the first attempt, you can take it again. However, you must wait 45 days between tries.

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Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Once you have your RN licensure, the next step toward becoming a charge nurse is to gain some valuable nursing experience. The recommended amount of experience is between 3 and 5 years in a hands-on clinical setting. Ideally, you want to work in a healthcare setting that exposes you to tasks like complex wound care, IV infusions, and tube feedings.

Helpful skills and experience

Nursing is a fast-paced healthcare career. When you decide to become a charge nurse, that already hectic pace can magnify. You’ll be the person in charge of deciding what care patients receive. It’s a lot of responsibility placed squarely on your shoulders.

Working in emergency care settings can help prepare you for the kind of quick-thinking you’ll need to do as a charge nurse. Seek out nurses in leadership positions as mentors so you can gain valuable insight.

Changing specialty to a charge nurse

Changing your nursing specialty to a charge nurse isn’t difficult with the right experience. Let’s say you’re working as a progressive care unit nurse (PCU) and are ready for more responsibility. 

You can take your experience on the floor and translate that to strong leadership skills. This will improve patient outcomes and communication among the nursing team under your supervision.

The most effective charge nurses are those who have worked in patient bedside care. They know the struggles of both patients and nurses to provide quality care and can use that experience to innovate solutions. 

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

You’re not required to earn certifications to work as a charge nurse. However, you may wish to earn a Clinical Nurse Leader Certificate (CNL) from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Possessing this certification shows employers you are willing to go the extra mile to hone your leadership skills.

Earning your CNL makes you a more attractive candidate when competing against other charge nurse candidates without certification. In addition to being more employable, earning a CNL gives you greater confidence in your leadership abilities and increased autonomy in the workplace.

What are additional requirements of charge nurses?

Charge nurses do not have any specific continuing education requirements. Some states have continuing education requirements for RNs. You’ll need to pay attention to those to ensure you’re meeting all state board of licensing mandates in the state where you plan to work.

If your charge nurse responsibilities are tied to a specialty, you may have separate requirements for continuing education to maintain your specialty certification.

What are the salary and career outlooks for charge nurses?

Like all RNs, the future looks bright for charge nurses. Projected growth is 6% between 2021 and 2031. 

The average salary for a charge nurse is $93,458. Some states and healthcare employers pay charge nurses higher wages. This depends on location, education, and experience. 

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Job satisfaction

It can be difficult to gauge whether becoming a charge nurse is the right nursing career move for you. Learning about the job satisfaction of other charge nurses can help you decide. You can talk with other nursing professionals who have held or currently hold a charge nurse position to get their advice.

Next steps

Joining a professional nursing organization can help you with your next steps. You’ll gain the support – and perspective – you need from other nursing professionals. One such organization that may be valuable to charge nurses is the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL).

Whether you’re an aspiring charge nurse or a seasoned professional, you can find many benefits in belonging to the AONL or any other professional nurse leadership organization.

Incredible Health can help you on your nursing career path. You can compare salaries for your specialization and search for the perfect nursing job to fit your skills in the location you desire. 

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Nurse Types / Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

A women’s health nurse practitioner focuses on the healthcare needs of women. Nursing candidates interested in gynecological, obstetric, and reproductive health can pursue a career in this nursing specialty.

Women’s health nurse practitioners play an important role in providing essential healthcare to women of all ages. They can screen for sexually transmitted diseases or infections, reproductive cancers, and other health conditions.

This guide provides you with all the information you need to get started on your career as a women’s health nurse practitioner. In it we explore:

• What is a women’s health nurse practitioner?
• What do women’s health nurse practitioners do?
• Where do women’s health nurse practitioners work?
• What are specific types of women’s health nurse practitioners?
• How do you become a women’s health nurse practitioner in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of women’s health nurse practitioners?
• What are the salary and career outlooks for women’s health nurse practitioners?
• How can women’s health nurse practitioners advance their careers?
• FAQs

What is a women’s health nurse practitioner?

A women’s health nurse practitioner assesses, diagnoses, and treats women for gynecological, obstetric, and reproductive issues. This position has some similarities with that of Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).  One of the main differences between the two is that WHNPs do not direct as much time to fertility issues and newborn delivery as CNMs.

WHNPs focus on preventative care like annual exams, breast cancer screenings, and contraceptive care. They also handle pregnancy testing, fertility evaluations, prenatal and postnatal care, and menopausal care.

WHNPs specialized training qualifies them to work in the following settings:

• Obstetrics and gynecology physician offices
• Private doctor’s offices
• Infertility clinic
• Hospitals
• Birthing centers
• Breast care clinics
• Gynecological oncology units
• Specialty care clinics
• Urogynecology clinics and care centers
• Women’s wellness clinics

Qualities of a successful women’s health nurse practitioner

Like all nurses, women’s health nurse practitioners must have empathy for their patients. Nurses in this specialty often work with patients with fertility issues or other sensitive healthcare conditions that require confidentiality and tactfulness.

Other desirable qualities include:

• Competent multitasker. Women’s health nurse practitioners manage busy schedules with multiple patients. They must be able to carry out several tasks simultaneously.
• Solid interpersonal skills. Some people call these “people skills.” No matter how you refer to them, they involve working well with others in a team healthcare setting.
• Strong communicator. Women’s health nurse practitioners must explain complex health issues to patients in simple ways they can understand. They also regularly consult with other healthcare team members. Active listening skills also are part of possessing good communication skills.

What do women’s health nurse practitioners do?

WHNPs meet the healthcare needs of the 330 million women in the U.S. Depending on which healthcare setting they work in, a women’s health nurse practitioner has several job duties. Among the most common are:

• Assisting OB GYNS during surgical procedures
• Collaborating with other health professionals
• Conducting annual well-woman exams and pap smears
• Designing treatment plans for women’s health conditions
• Diagnostic screenings for breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers; female infertility hormonal issues (including menopause); and ovarian cysts
• Educating women about birth control options
• Preparing patients for medical procedures and surgeries
• Prescribing contraceptives and other medications
• Providing prenatal and postnatal care
• Providing post-surgical care

This is just a sampling of the duties included in the scope of practice for WHNPs. It is important to check with hiring managers to ensure job duties required for a job are clear.

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A day in the life of a women’s health nurse practitioner

Things can get hectic in a hurry for women’s health nurse practitioners. You may have to juggle several patients simultaneously. Some of the duties you can expect to carry out during a typical shift include:

•    Diagnosing and treating sexually transmitted diseases
•    Educating patients about their health issues
•    Helping women with family planning methods
•    Offering women targeted healthcare during perimenopause and menopause
•    Performing annual gynecological exams and providing well-woman care services
•    Providing treatment for acute and chronic women’s medical conditions

Common conditions treated by women’s health nurse practitioners

Women’s health nurse practitioners provide diagnosis and treatment for several common conditions affecting women’s health. Contraceptive care, evaluation and treatment of infections, and fertility services are within the scope of practice for this nursing specialty.

Where do women’s health nurse practitioners work?

Women’s health nurse practitioners can work in any healthcare setting where women’s wellness services are provided. Some of the most common work environments include:

•   Community clinics
•    Fertility clinics
•    Hospitals
•    Obstetrics-Gynecology physician offices
•    Private group practices

It’s also possible to work as a travel nurse when you’re a women’s health nurse practitioner. You can provide essential healthcare services to women in communities throughout the U.S. depending on how far you’re willing to travel.

What are specific types of women’s health nurse practitioners?

Women’s health nurse practitioners can specialize depending on their interests and areas of expertise. Some may choose to work with women in menopause, helping them through this important transition in their lives. Others may focus on fertility, helping women who are struggling to become pregnant.

For those interested in a holistic approach to health and wellness, particularly around biohacking tailored for women, biohacking for women provides valuable insights on balancing nutrition, mental wellness, and physical health.

If you want to advance your career and earn a higher salary as a women’s health nurse practitioner, you can pursue nurse administrator opportunities in community clinics, fertility clinics, or OB GYN private practices.  

Closely related fields

If you’re interested in nursing but not sure if becoming a women’s health nurse practitioner is the right career move, you have options. Some closely related fields include:

• Nurse anesthetists are a type of advanced practice registered nurse that provides pain medication to patients before, during, and after surgery.
• Nurse midwives are a type of advanced practice registered nurse that specializes in women’s reproductive health and childbirth.

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How do you become a women’s health nurse practitioner in 3 steps?

Becoming a WHNP requires patience and dedication. You must complete several steps in the journey before you can begin your new nursing career.

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

All women’s health nurse practitioners must become registered nurses as the first step in the process. 

Earn a BSN degree

Earning your RN requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Alternatively, nursing professionals who already hold an Associate Degree in Nursing  (ADN) can enter an accelerated RN to MSN program that allows you to earn a bachelor’s and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) simultaneously. To become a nurse practitioner, you must hold at least a master’s degree.

Pass the NCLEX exam

Regardless of which degree program you choose, the next step is becoming a licensed RN passing the NCLEX-RN exam. All nurses must take the NCLEX exam to prove proficiency in nursing skills and abilities learned in nursing school.

You can take practice NCLEX exams to prepare yourself for the real thing. If you fail on your first attempt, you must wait 45 days before trying again.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Once you have your RN license, you have two choices: gain some work experience as an RN or continue toward earning an MSN degree. 

If you choose to work as an RN for a few years, there are certain kinds of work environments that may be more beneficial than others in preparing you for your role as a women’s health nurse practitioner.

Working as an RN in a fertility clinic or OB GYN private practice are great examples of ideal work environments to build your skills.

Helpful skills and experience

Some MSN programs require RNs to work for a year in a clinical setting before applying. Choosing a healthcare environment that serves women can be a good way to determine if you should finish the requirements for becoming a women’s health nurse practitioner or try something else.

Helpful skills and experience you should seek during your clinical period include:

• Communication skills that include both listening and speaking well to understand your patients’ basic needs and to work as part of a healthcare team.
• Critical thinking skills that can help you provide accurate and thorough diagnoses for your patients.
• Teamwork skills that allow you to collaborate and communicate with other healthcare providers on your patients’ healthcare teams to provide the best possible outcomes for patients.

Changing specialty to a women’s health nurse practitioner

Changing your specialty to a women’s health nurse practitioner isn’t difficult. Let’s say you’re already a nurse practitioner in general practice who wants to specialize in women’s health.

You already have the education and experience required. However, you may need to take a few additional continuing education courses to get up to speed on best practices in women’s healthcare.

Alternatively, you can seek out job opportunities in women’s healthcare settings to get some hands-on experience in your new field.

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

The final step before you can begin your career as a WHNP is to earn your certification. The National Certification Corporation is the credentialing organization for WHNPs. To qualify for the exam, WHNP candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a current RN licensure
• Complete an accredited graduate nurse practitioner program that meets all NCC program requirements
• Schedule the exam within 8 years of your graduation date

Once you complete these four steps, you can begin searching for job openings for women’s health nurse practitioners.

What are additional requirements of women’s health nurse practitioners?

You must renew your credentials periodically to maintain them. Completing continuing education credits in relevant courses for women’s health is part of the process. Your state board of nursing may have additional requirements for maintaining your licensure, so it’s best to check with them to make sure you’re up to date.

What are the salary and career outlooks for women’s health nurse practitioners?

Women’s health nurse practitioners, like most nurse practitioner specialties, are well paid. The annual average salary for WHNPs is $112,494. WHNPs without experience can expect to earn an annual average salary of $84,500 and those with much experience earning $156,000.

In addition to base salary, full-time and part-time women’s health nurse practitioners enjoy additional benefits. The perks include can include continuing education reimbursement, dental and health insurance coverage, holiday pay, paid time off, and relocation assistance.

The demand for qualified WHNPs continues to grow due to the nationwide nursing shortage and an emphasis on preventative healthcare services. Job outlook predictions from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate the demand for WHNPs will increase by 40% from 2021 to 2031. That is much higher than the average annual growth rate for other professions during the same period.

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Job satisfaction

U.S. News and World Report ranks nurse practitioner as the fourth best job in the country. They awarded this positioning in the top 10 because of the results of job satisfaction surveys, working conditions, and salaries for nurses in this specialty.

How can women’s health nurse practitioners advance their careers?

There are many steps women’s health nurse practitioners make take to advance their careers. Increasing education level is just one way to help open more doors. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) may be a great next step for you. Continuing to earn certifications is a great way to learn more about your practice and show prospective employers your commitment to the field.

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