Date of Completion
Spring 5-2025
Document Type
Open Access Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Faculty Advisor
Eileen Stuart-Shor, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN
Practice Site Mentor
Heidi Alpert, MS, RN
Committee Mentor
Linda Curtin, PhD, RN, CCRN
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Charge nurses have a broad range of responsibilities that require skills beyond patient care. Unfortunately, these skills are not usually taught in nursing school or as part of continuing education for staff nurses. As a result, many new charge nurses feel unprepared for their role. This is compounded by the fact that a significant percentage of nurses in the workforce are novice nurses. These novice nurses who may not yet have the necessary experience are now leading staff without the guidance and support of experienced nurses.
Local Problem: Newly appointed charge nurses at the academically affiliated community hospital where the project took place lack formal training. The hospital employs twelve permanent charge nurses, with an average of three years of experience in the charge nurse role.
Methods: A systematic literature review revealed that a competency-based blended learning program can improve charge nurse confidence and capability. The overall aim of the intervention was to develop, implement, and evaluate a blended learning program (BLP) that not only enhances the perception of readiness to undertake the responsibilities of the charge nurse role but also equips the participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the role.
Interventions: The BLP was comprised of three primary components. First, the cohort attended bi-weekly in-person sessions, which covered various topics related to the charge nurse competencies; quality improvement, organizational resource management, conflict resolution, creative problem solving, team management, trauma-informed care, stress management, and leadership. Second, participants received a self-paced workbook, and third, participants received unit-based mentorship. The evaluation strategy was based on the self-reported confidence and competency level of the charge nurse participant and an objective assessment by the mentor of the participant’s competency acquisition.
Results: At the completion of the BLP the charge nurses and their mentors reported that the chare nurses had acquired skills to succeed in the role. This project demonstrated that a competency-based blended learning program improved the charge nurse’s confidence, behavior, and competency level to undertake the responsibilities of the charge nurse role.
Conclusions: By providing tailored training that aligns with an organizational care model and support from the nursing leadership team, charge nurses who participated in the BLP felt better able to function in the role. The majority of charge nurses perceived their confidence and competence improved, attained a support system, and assimilated into the nursing leadership knowledge community. Mentors reported that the BLP was feasible and added value to practice.
Recommended Citation
Davis, Asheley M., "Implementation of a Novice Charge Nurse Blended Learning Program in a Community Hospital" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects. 51.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/nursing_dnp_capstone/51