Understanding the learning needs of the charge nurse: implications for nursing staff development.

Charge nurses are part of the nurse manager leadership team, yet they are often appointed to their roles with minimal, if any, leadership training, education, or mentoring. Literature shows that nursing leadership affects staff retention, satisfaction, and patient outcomes. In this study, charge nurses were surveyed about their learning needs, the barriers in functioning as a charge nurse, and their view of helpful resources in performing the role of a charge nurse. Findings point to the need for staff educators to facilitate charge nurse competency through both online training and mentoring. In addition, using a transformational leadership style provides staff educators with a strong framework for ensuring nurse leadership competency.