Curriculum
Learning Through Real-World Scenarios
NCharge courses are designed to address the everyday challenges that charge nurses face on the hospital unit. These courses focus on essential nursing leadership and business skills, empowering charge nurses to become vital contributors to your organization's success.
NCharge courses have been approved by the South Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation. 3.5-4 contact hours awarded per course.
1.Charge Nurse Fundamentals
Learning Objectives
- Employ strategies for making a smooth transition from staff nurse to charge nurse position.
- Enhance individual and unit performance by understanding the various roles of an effective charge nurse.
- Apply qualities for successful leadership.
- Create an individual action plan to identify challenges and maximize opportunities in today’s complex hospital environment.
- Analyze the patient care and financial implications of hospital Value-Based Purchasing.
2.Critical Thinking Skills for Charge Nurses
Learning Objectives
- Recognize how developing strong critical thinking
and decision-making skills will enhance your effectiveness as a nurse leader.
- Use a decision-making process to make informed decisions when faced with complex situations or
challenges.
- Model the essential traits of critical thinkers in
your daily work.
- Apply the critical thinking skills of observation,
communication, analysis, and inference to make
better decisions.
3. Leading Change in a Dynamic Climate
Learning Objectives
- Integrate drivers of the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape into teammate discussions
- Accurately interpret teammates’ individual responses to changes in the work environment.
- Implement strategies to improve staff productivity by facilitating change-related transitions.
- Collaborate with staff to improve change-related transitions that impact quality of care.
4. Supervisory Skills for Positive Outcomes
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate strategies for monitoring and reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs).
- Apply communication strategies to confidently communicate practice concerns.
- Employ a collaborative approach to managing conflict.
- Utilize time management strategies to prioritize the work plan.
- Demonstrate how to delegate tasks appropriately while maintaining accountability.
5. Employee Engagement and the Patient Experience
Learning Objectives
- Recognize key drivers of employee engagement and the patient care experience.
- Examine the link between employee engagement and patient experience.
- Analyze the role of the charge nurse in promoting employee engagement.
- Assess personal proficiency in promoting employee engagement.
- Employ recognized skills of active listening, service recovery, effective feedback and recognition to improve employee engagement and patient experience of care.
6. Facilitating Interprofessional Teams (4.0 contact hours)
Learning Objectives
- Discover the variety of clinical and non-clinical team members who must collaborate to positively impact transitions of care.
- Examine personal tendencies as a team leader and team member in order to foster positive collaboration.
- Compare and contrast behaviors that build trust or damage trust in teams.
- Demonstrate skilled communication and promote interprofessional teamwork by using the GRIP model.
7. Managing Multigenerational Conflict
Learning Objectives
- Recognize the value and challenges of multiple generations working together in today’s healthcare environment.
- Examine ones’ own attitudes regarding various generations and how this impacts team leadership.
- Compare and contrast generational traits and the experiences that have shaped each generation.
- Identify common challenges faced by leaders of multigenerational teams.
- Apply a 3-step framework for communicating effectively and motivating high performance.
NCharge increases the leadership ability and business acumen of your charge nurses.
NCharge is a seven-course curriculum designed especially for first-level supervisory nurses who seek to grow management and leadership skills while also learning about the business aspects of nursing. All courses are instructor-led and cohort-based.
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NCharge helps healthcare organizations:
Build nurse-leader pipeline
Ensure a smooth transition from peer to leader
Impact financial awareness and results
Increase nurse engagement and retention
Improve patient care and outcomes
hospital team
Benefits
Making an impact on turnover costs and VBP penalties.
Nursing retention is a foundation of patient care. A chief influence in a nurse’s decision to stay or leave, according to a 2021 Advisory Board study include “lack of good management or leadership”. Leadership includes your daily unit leader, the charge nurse.
And turnover is costly. According to the 2021 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report, “the average cost of turnover for a bedside RN is $40,038 and ranges from $28,400 to $51,700, causing a hospital to lose $3.6 million to $6.5 million per year.
turnover infographic VIEW PDF
Curriculum
Learning Through Real-World Scenarios
NCharge teaches students based on real-world scenarios that happen in the context of a hospital unit. The Train-the-Trainer model allows for alignment with your key messaging and reports, e.g. clinical quality indicators. NCharge courses can be used independently or as a complete series.
NCharge courses have been approved by the South Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation. 3.5 contact hours awarded per course.
Train-the-Trainer Model
NCharge uses a Train-the-Trainer (TTT) approach to prepare your educators to effectively teach the courses.
TTT sessions are delivered in a virtual, webinar format.
In-depth, high quality Instructor Guides allow for rapid instructor ramp-up and deployment of training.
Catalyst Learning can also provide instructors and technical producers to facilitate your NCharge-Virtual courses.
Increase employee retention, morale, and quality of service through professional development.
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virtual class
Delivery options for any scenario
NCharge courses are delivered in a live, instructor-led format that gives organizations the opportunity to choose the option that best fits your unique situation.
Classroom-based
Virtual
Public Classes
Topics include skills like communication, delegation, team leadership and critical thinking that require ample practice time. That’s why, regardless of the delivery option you select, 70% of learning time is spent in group discussions and interactive activities such as role-plays, case studies, video vignettes, etc.
nurse with clipboard
Customer Stories
HCA Logo
HCA Healthcare (HCA) is the largest nongovernmental provider of healthcare in the United States, employing over 80,000 registered nurses in over 180 affiliated hospitals. As a system, HCA has increased its commitment to the development of nurses.
“The vision of this program reflected the HCA commitment to unparalleled leadership development at all levels. Taking learnings from previous programs and best practices from within and outside of the organization, HCA developed the Charge Nurse Leadership Certificate Program to shape the next generation of nursing leaders.”
– NURSE LEADER | VOL. 17 | ISSUE 4
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Wellstar Logo
Wellstar Health System partnered with Catalyst Learning to execute NCharge, an evidence-based curriculum using an instructor-led training model.
“The charge nurse pilot training was an effective program that led to improved leadership style and resiliency.”
– THE JOURNAL OF NURSING ADMINISTRATION | VOL. 50 | ISSUE 2
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Testimonials
“I learned to research facts more and base opinions decisions on those – not opinions.”
– NCharge participant
“The leadership stories of other effective leaders were very helpful and inspiring.”
– NCharge participant
FAQs for Charge Nurse
What is a charge nurse?
A charge nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who holds a leadership position within a healthcare facility, overseeing a specific unit or department. They are responsible for coordinating patient care, managing staff assignments, and ensuring the smooth operation of daily activities.
What does a charge nurse do?
A charge nurse takes on various responsibilities, including: Assigning tasks and patient care responsibilities to nursing staff. Supervising nursing staff and providing guidance and support as needed. Coordinating patient admissions, discharges, and transfers. Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Handling administrative tasks such as scheduling, documentation, and inventory management. Serving as a liaison between nursing staff, patients, families, and other healthcare team members.
How to become a charge nurse?
To become a charge nurse, individuals typically need to follow these steps: Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited nursing program. Obtain a registered nurse (RN) license by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Gain clinical experience working as a staff nurse in a healthcare setting, typically for a minimum of two to three years. Pursue additional education or certification in nursing leadership or management, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or certification as a Nurse Executive. Demonstrate strong leadership skills, clinical expertise, and the ability to effectively manage and coordinate patient care. Apply for charge nurse positions within healthcare facilities and undergo any required training or orientation programs upon selection.
How does being a charge nurse benefit the healthcare facility?
Having competent and effective charge nurses is essential for the smooth operation of healthcare facilities. Charge nurses contribute to the efficient management of patient flow, staffing resources, and clinical processes, ultimately improving overall patient care outcomes. Their leadership and oversight help ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and promote a culture of safety and quality within the organization.