Charge Nurse Job Description Template

Charge nurses are responsible for overseeing all nursing care across a unit. These important leaders are responsible for a mix of administrative and clinical duties — from creating patient assignments and ordering supplies to aiding staff with hands-on care when necessary. Charge nurses have a substantial influence over the culture and performance of a team, so writing a strong charge nurse job description is crucial for attracting the right applicants for this role.

But, what is the job description of a charge nurse and what key factors should you highlight about the role? To help you effectively advertise your opening, we’ll provide a template that exemplifies common benefits, duties, and requirements of a charge nurse. Tailor this template and pair it with thoughtful interview questions to select the best candidate for your team. You can also explore what other facilities are putting in their charge nurse job openings and learn how to make your organization stand out from the crowd.

Charge Nurse

Tips: This is the first section of your job description, so you’ll want to introduce the role and your facility in a way that catches the attention of potential applicants. You can list any notable awards or distinctions that your facility has received, or share more about your mission to make your organization stand out. You can also briefly indicate any essential qualifications you’re looking for to ensure that the right people continue reading your posting.

Template:

[Facility name] is looking for an experienced charge nurse (RN) to lead our med-surg nursing team at our [insert city] campus. Proudly distinguished as a magnet facility, we’re leaders in providing quality care through the exceptional work of our nurses. We understand that in order to promote the best patient outcomes possible, we must foster the growth of our valued staff. This is why we offer competitive compensation and a generous benefits package, ensuring that our nurses can have long and successful careers with us. If you’re interested in joining a thriving team at a top-tier healthcare organization, we’d like to hear from you!

Benefits

Tips: Now that you’ve captured the attention of your prospective applicants, you’ll want to elaborate on all of the great perks of working at your facility. This section of your charge nurse job description should highlight the key parts of your employee benefits package. If your unit offers any professional development opportunities unique to nurses, this is the place to list those as well.

Template:

• Competitive pay
• 401k matching
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Continuing education (CE) credits

Duties and Responsibilities

Tips: This section should outline the most important charge nurse responsibilities. Job description details for charge nurses can vary by facility and specialty. While we’re providing an example of a hospital charge nurse job description, these duties may look different from what’s expected in post-acute care settings. So, remember to tailor this section to the needs of your facility and team.

Template:

• Oversees work of nursing staff in the med-surg department during assigned shifts
• Directs nursing care and interventions for a wide variety of conditions including but not limited to patients who have undergone bariatric, general, and GI surgeries
• Prepares daily patient assignments and serves as a resource for unit staff in addressing operational and patient care problems
• Ensures the delivery of safe and quality care in accordance with all applicable regulations and institutional policies
• Fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment

Compensation and Schedule

Tips: Now that your prospective candidates have an idea of what their day-to-day might look like, they’ll want to know all the other details of the job, such as the expected pay, schedule, and location. Make sure that you include a pay range to promote transparency and give prospective applicants a better idea of how this job compares to other opportunities.

Template:

• Pay range: $70,000-$95,000/year
• Full time, 36 hours/week
• Day shift (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
• Location: [insert city, state]

Skills and Qualifications

Tips: In this section of your job description, you should clarify the charge nurse skills and qualifications that are needed for the job. Indicating whether each skill is required or preferred will help encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Template:

• ADN or BSN from an accredited school of nursing required
• Active RN license issued by [insert state] required
• BLS certification from the AHA required
• 3+ years of clinical experience preferred

Call to Action

Tips: Now that you’ve laid out the details of the job, interested candidates will be wondering how to take the next steps. This last section of your job description should include a brief call to action, which provides a link to your application portal. If you don’t use an application portal, make sure to specify how candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters.

Template:

Ready to pursue a fulfilling career as a charge nurse with a leading healthcare organization? Click here to submit your resume and cover letter today. We look forward to hearing from you!

Reach High-Quality Applicants Faster

Getting your charge nurse job description in front of the right audience is key to finding a suitable leader for your team. Not sure where to start? Post to IntelyCare’s nationwide, nursing-only job board today and reach over 1 million nursing professionals who are ready to level up their careers.