Under what circumstances can a practical nurse be designated as a charge nurse?

A practical nurse can be designated as a charge nurse primarily during the night tour of duty due to the unique nature of staffing and care requirements that often exist during those hours. Many facilities experience a reduced number of staff during the night shift compared to daytime and evening shifts. The designation of a practical nurse as charge nurse at night helps ensure that a licensed individual is overseeing patient care, making decisions, and coordinating activities in a less populated environment where immediate access to a registered nurse (RN) may not be practical.

This arrangement ensures that there is still a level of oversight and management during the night when fewer staff members are present. Practical nurses typically have the necessary training to handle emergencies and make critical decisions during nighttime operations, thus maintaining the standard of care expected in nursing facilities.

When considering other factors influencing the charge nurse designation, such as the day or evening shifts, these times usually have more available staffing, including RNs who can take on charge nurse responsibilities. The patient census exceeding a specific number might be relevant to staffing needs but does not specifically relate to the designation of a practical nurse as charge nurse in this context. Thus, the night shift is the most common setting for this designation due to operational requirements and staff availability.