How to Become a Charge Nurse
Charge nurses work in clinical settings and serve in leadership positions for the nurses on their shifts. They may take patients or manage patient assignments and other unit responsibilities. The steps to become a charge nurse include education, testing, and licensing, after which nurses can pursue charge responsibilities. Below, we’ll detail the steps to follow, how long it takes to become a charge nurse, and where to start.
Become a Charge Nurse in 6 Steps
To become a charge nurse, candidates must first become licensed registered nurses (RNs). While not mandatory, they can pursue higher education and certification in a specialty.
4
Work as a Registered Nurse
Before an RN can take charge nurse shifts, they must first gain a few years of bedside clinical experience.
5
Begin Working as a Charge Nurse
After spending some time at the bedside, nurses can ask their manager to take charge nurse shifts. Some facilities hire nurses specifically for charge nurse positions, but many charge nurses work a typical nursing schedule at that facility and take a certain number of charge shifts each month.
6
Earn Nursing Certification
After some bedside experience, charge nurses may pursue specialty certification in nursing leadership or in the field in which they work. While not required for work in this field, specialty certification can make candidates more desirable to potential employers.
Schooling Requirements for Charge Nurses
Charge nurses must be registered nurses, a title earned by graduating with an ADN or a BSN degree.
Associate Degree in Nursing
An Associate Degree in Nursing, or ADN, is the quickest option to become a charge nurse with no previous university education. ADN degrees can take 18 months to two years to complete and may require some prerequisites before an application can be accepted.
Time to Complete
18 months to 2 years
Clinical Hours
190 to 900*
Pros
- Earn a nursing degree in less than two years
- Less competitive than a BSN
- Lower cost than a BSN
Cons
- May limit job opportunities compared to a BSN
- Must obtain a BSN before pursuing an advanced practice nursing degree
*Varies depending on institution
Sources: Central New Mexico Community College, Teaching and Learning in Nursing
Nurses with an ADN may receive lower pay and not have their first choice of positions compared to nurses with a BSN.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) gives future charge nurses a well-rounded education experience. Typically completed over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills.
Clinical Hours
160 to 750*
Pros
- More likely to pass NCLEX on the first attempt (82.32% with a BSN vs. 77.91% with an ADN)
- Easier to find work in highly specialized environments like gerontology or neonatology
- Higher salary than an ADN
Cons
- Takes longer to complete than an ADN
- More competitive than an ADN
- More expensive than an ADN
*Varies depending on institution
Sources: Forbes Advisor, Teaching and Learning in Nursing, National Council of State Boards of Nursing
A BSN prepares aspiring charge nurses to handle a high level of critical thinking. This degree teaches high-level concepts like evidence-based practice, community health nursing, statistics used in research, nursing management and leadership, health informatics and analysis, healthcare ethics, and nutrition.
Nurse Licensing
Once a new nursing graduate has earned their degree, they must apply for licensure. Charge nurses must apply for a registered nurse license to practice. To become a licensed and practicing nurse in any state, all nursing graduates must pass the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN) and apply for a state license.
NCLEX-RN
The National Council Licensure Examination–RN (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based exam with 85 to 150 questions. The exam takes anywhere from one hour to a maximum of five hours. Questions fall into four basic categories:
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity
Once completed, the state board of nursing sends test results within six weeks, usually by email. In the time leading up to the NCLEX-RN, it’s important for graduates to study practice questions to ensure a passing grade and many students take NCLEX prep courses to increase their likelihood of success.
Registered Nurse State License Application and Renewal
Each state in the U.S. has a unique registered nurse licensing application process. The state board of nursing will want proof of an NCLEX passing result and a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Most states require criminal background checks and fingerprinting, and some may want to see university transcripts.
In most states, RNs must renew their license every two years after initial licensure. Each state has varying requirements for continuing education and other documentation needed for renewal. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers a wealth of information on registered nurse licensing requirements by state.
Specialty Certification
Most charge nurse positions require certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). However, charge nurses may choose to pursue other specialty certifications to enhance their expertise. The Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) offers their Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification, which demonstrates excellent leadership ability.
Additionally, charge nurses may benefit from earning certifications pertaining to their specialty. For example, charge nurses on an inpatient pediatric unit may consider pursuing a Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) certification or a Pediatric Nursing Certification (PED-BC).
Where Do Charge Nurses Work?
Charge nurses can find employment in a number of organizations, but most charge nurses work in inpatient hospital settings, long-term care facilities, skilled nursing rehabilitation, or nursing homes. Some outpatient clinics or same-day surgery facilities also employ charge nurses.
FAQs: How to Become a Charge Nurse
1. What education is needed to become a charge nurse?
Charge nurses must graduate with a nursing degree from an accredited college or university. They can pursue a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
2. How many years does it take to become a charge nurse?
The time it takes to become a charge nurse depends on which degree one pursues, but an undergraduate degree may take anywhere from two to four years. Registered nurses must then gain several years of bedside experience before they can work as charge nurses.
3. What are the steps to become a charge nurse?
To become a charge nurse, candidates must apply to and graduate from an accredited nursing school, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for and receive a nursing license in their state. After these steps and several years of bedside experience, they may apply for charge nurse positions and pursue specialty certification.
4. How much do charge nurses make an hour?
According to the BLS, charge nurses earn an average of $45.42 per hour, which equals about $94,480 annually. Nurses with an advanced degree will be able to earn more.
