A Charge Nurse: A Case Study

Throughout history, there have always been leaders and followers. Whether the leaders were for the greater good or the downfall of mankind, leaders have always stood out from crowds and have inspired others to help attain their goals. According to "Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing", a leader are members of our society who are also known as the "masters of change". They are the risk takers we see who challenge status quos and those who are willing to take risks for the chance to gain something greater in life. These leaders are known to have special characteristics that get work done through the help of others who are willing to aid them in reaching their goals. A leader consists of traits that: envision the future, use motivation
The role of a leader comes from a member of the staff who holds a position of respect such as a charge nurse, a manager of a unit, or a case manager. (Marquis & Huston, 2011)

A charge nurse is one of the many leaders in the health care setting. They hold qualities that few possess such as being true to themselves and being able to act appropriately in different situations. During my clinical rotation, I was able to experience a charge nurses role during their shifts. Maria Del Reyes, a charge nurse on the CCU unit at Hoag Hospital in the city of New Port. Maria has been an RN for 15 years and has been a charge nurse for over 10 years. Seeing her day to day role as a charge nurse on her unit was definitely an experience that I wouldn’t forget. It was a great moment of self reflection for me as I saw what a nurse leaders job entitles. Maria's leadership style resembles a democratic leader. "Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing" defines a democratic leader as one who not only promotes autonomy, but
With the many different leadership styles that an individual can incorporate in their roles, Maria chose the style that best fits her personality and unit. Being aware of her unit and potential complications, she has been able to successfully increase the productivity of her unit, while also forming a great relationship with her staff. Even though there may be some members of her staff who require less supervision than others, she has always found an area of improvement for each member on her team to work on. Doing so not only improves every staff members' performance, but also increases the quality of care to the patients in the unit. All the staff members show a great amount of respect for her, which plays a part in their welcoming demeanor whenever she has an opportunity to share her