Charge Nurse vs Nurse Leader: Roles, Responsibilities & Career Growth

There comes a point in a person’s career when it’s time to advance to jobs with more responsibility and control. The same thing happens with nurses. Luckily, there are several directions you can go.

To make the best choice for your career, it's essential to understand what each advanced role entails.

We’re here to clarify the differences between a charge nurse and a nurse leader, providing you with all the necessary information to help you decide which path suits you best.

So, without further ado, let’s get to it!

Charge Nurse

So what is a charge nurse?

Charge nurses are in charge of the nurses who work in their unit during their shifts.

Charge nurses are trusted to oversee the nurses, supervise the execution of their tasks, and provide patient care.

Roles and Responsibilities

Besides the supervision, charge nurses handle some administrative work, such as:

• coordinating staffing and supplies
• keeping track of patient admissions and discharges
• delegating tasks to nurses

It’s important to note that charge nurses work only with other nurses in their department and are only in charge of nursing-related tasks.

Characteristics

Charge nurses have to be highly skilled in practical nursing tasks, meaning patient care and treatment, but that’s only the beginning.

They have to have great communication skills, as they need to coordinate the many facets of the nursing staff in their department, as well as get their message across to patients’ families and loved ones.

Charge nurses must have great organizational skills to make sure that everything runs smoothly and there are no blind spots. They have to be assertive and professional, but warm and kind, to get the best results with both their staff and patients.

Nurse Leader

A nurse leader is a highly educated, highly experienced, and highly skilled nurse whose job is to make sure that the vision of the healthcare organization they work for is seen and fulfilled.

Roles and Responsibilities

They keep track of the newest regulations, current trends, and relevant studies that should be implemented in the hospital for maximal growth and quality of service and care.

However, that’s not all they do. Even though they are higher up in the hierarchy and are somewhat closer to administration, they still take care of patients and work hands-on with other nurses. After all, you have to know the environment in which you work to be able to lead it.

Nurses in this role aren’t just in charge of a single department, they oversee all nursing departments in all wards. So their knowledge of the system has to be impeccable and thorough.

Characteristics

Nurse Leaders must have great leadership and natural authority. They are the link between administration and practical care, which means that they need to be informed and skilled in both.

What’s more, nurse leaders coordinate not only the work of nurses but also other hospital staff such as assistants and psychologists. They therefore have a broader scope of responsibilities.

They need to b:

• assertive and great leaders
• good listeners
• solution-oriented
• proficient in organizational skills

How to Grow Your Career as a Nurse

The best way to advance in your career is to get appropriate certifications. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers two types of certifications - the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) and the Nurse Executive Advanced Certification (NEA-BC).

Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC)

The conditions for applying and getting this certification are that you are a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States or hold the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country.

Furthermore, you must hold a Bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing with at least 2000 hours of experience in a leadership, management, or administrative role with primary responsibility for the daily operations and outcomes of one (1) or more unit(s)/departments within the last 3 years.

Lastly, you must have completed 30 hours of continuing education in leadership, management, or administration within the last 3 years.

To help you prepare for this certification, we offer NE-BC practice tests that are designed to enhance your knowledge and boost your confidence before the exam.

Nurse Executive Advanced (NEA-BC)

As far as the NEA-BC is concerned, the requirements are similar, with some differences.

You must have a graduate degree and either the Bachelor’s or graduate degree must be in nursing, such as a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Moreover, you must have completed 30 hours of continuing leadership management or administration education within the last three years.

Lastly, you must submit official transcripts directly from the school where the degree was earned.

If you decide to take this certification, keep in mind that we offer NEA-BC practice tests tailored to help you understand the content and improve your readiness for the certification.

Need Assistance Preparing For Nursing Exams?

When comparing the roles of charge nurse vs nurse leader, it’s essential to recognize their unique functions and career paths within the nursing field.

Each position offers distinct opportunities for professional growth and impact in healthcare settings.

If you are looking for reliable testing materials to help you supercharge your career growth, ExamEdge has the best and widest range of preparation materials at your disposal.

With the help of the #1 online test prep, you are guaranteed to achieve your career goals by getting the proper certifications.

Visit ExamEdge.com and get yourself practice tests and test prep to start your new career journey!